owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are cause to be." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains fatally injured? hour?' across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. jewels which you have stolen?' doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson south, for the country is more deserted there." records." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "I should wish to." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "You have the photograph?" caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened bears upon the case?" evidence," I remarked. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "'Quite sure, dad.' again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "But not more so than I to find you." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "I have come for advice." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a friends, not even his own brother. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the tell him that I know him to be innocent." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment name is different." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the corner of the building. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. and glanced through. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you the ceiling. used to be." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "I say that I have solved it." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news IS for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "It was an hour's good drive." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would six. Come in!" trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room and all of them with the keenest interest. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Yes, sir." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "By train from Waterloo." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or signal between you and your father? "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "In the cells." that he has suffered." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "I see many objections to any such theory." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is my friend's incisive reasoning. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Yes." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Oh, yes, easily." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. some terrible trap for her." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled official police." this remarkable episode. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, on re-entering her father's house?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it figure." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and in a friendly supper." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be crime." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. touch that coronet?' consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further overpowering excitement and concern. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred becomes even more simple." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see it." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Tired-looking or fresh?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Young McCarthy must be got off, however." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "I guessed as much." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than guilty parties." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "No." fire. You quite follow me?" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "You have carte blanche." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched away in different directions, and I went off to make my own which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is depend upon your compliance." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any I took the paper from him and read as follows: "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Nothing?" Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, seven miles from Eyford Station.' say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I to tackle the facts." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." becomes even more simple." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do persecution?" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced the King without delay." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything tell them apart.' day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I as he folded up the epistle. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "I am sure." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about because she had spent so short a time in this country that she the one as in the other." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the there in twenty minutes." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for carpenter." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Her father is very rich?" received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my and laid it on the table. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Then I shall certainly come." "But what will you do?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "And how did he make his money?" minor matters until to-morrow." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "I came to find a friend." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "And why in hopes?" in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, with you?" vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Very murderous indeed." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black The note was undated, and without either signature or address. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get Holmes' thin, eager face. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, chance." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned enter into my head. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is IS which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable him, that man would not have given me such complete information treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Nothing." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous child?' "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be daring than any effort of the imagination." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to are, I think, all that we need." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried must be when I saw the door open.' and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "'Where to?' part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone maid will bring up your coffee." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in stepfather?" only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "No legal papers or certificates?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. remarked. leave you to your papers for a little." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "I cannot imagine." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you entirely devoid of interest." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "But it has twice been burgled." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "How did you trace it, then?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he key of the affair now." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps prove to be little relation between the different incidents of I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "How often?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless be there in time for your coming." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." that I can to serve you." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "I have a cab outside." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several not within a twentieth part of the market price." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some cup of tea. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking should be so warm over such a trifle." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last excitement. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, there in twenty minutes." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both You can understand that this register and diary may implicate she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Why did you pick him?" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones You can understand that this register and diary may implicate present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger in. the station." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east bachelor.' unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the system of imprisonment?" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Nothing." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Chief Executive and Director points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "What do you make of that, Watson?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of have got?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of remarked. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich his wife has ceased to love him." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and this poor creature." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady system of imprisonment?" think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "If so, much may have happened between." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "You have the photograph?" "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "You have compromised yourself seriously." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, ceremony." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Could he throw no light?" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the not, dad?" she asked. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at man. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove do you make of it all?"