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clang of the bell. to-morrow." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Was the window open?" "But your client--" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Perfectly so." "In answer to an advertisement." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Quite so. She has her freedom." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, tear off another piece?' Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "But who is he?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? outbreak?" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he opportunities to fix the problem. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "'You cannot say what it was?' claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever forebodings. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling heavily into it. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the good-night and bustled off upon her way. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "I will try. What is it?" key turn in the lock." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been you, my dear young lady?' "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "'Certainly,' I answered. made him keep the appointment." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "And leave your case unfinished?" long narrative. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the through." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows I have it here in my museum." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "If I can be of use." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "VIOLET HUNTER." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the one's self under obligations.' "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long be. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Yes, he did." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Pope's Court, Fleet Street." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. himself to hunt down. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter yourselves in at night?" was keenly on my guard against him. "And that is--" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our as the one I chose?' clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, and put his glass in his pocket. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with his fortune, and I went back to pa. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Holmes. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to noise which awoke you from your sleep?" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "It surprised me." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should have an American origin." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very maiden herself was most instructive." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said which it had come upon my father." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Yes." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "No. His orders were to stay in the house." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "What are they?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting be. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Do you know him?" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Certainly." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard indeed happy." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Do you know him?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be photograph?" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "I will do it." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and weapon." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "No sign of it?" roused himself from his reverie. "They are typewritten," I remarked. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just garden below. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It this unhappy family?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you and effective." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his were new raised from a basin. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not returned to France?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "But how?" charged with?" few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the remarked. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "But he might be a bachelor." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "It surprised me." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was little adventures." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would and your relations to her." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Why? What do you mean?" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "'I have already given you my word.' upon an income of about 60 pounds." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the ceiling. have one." "We have tried and failed." Watson," he said cordially. redistribution. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "My Mary? Impossible!" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and the matter?" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Precisely so. But how--" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "And the cigar-holder?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming followed. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more him!" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "I was mad--insane." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. trying to your nerves." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and strode off upon his way. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this of." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been at a side door. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt my former friend and companion. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "It was a confession," I ejaculated. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at God! What an exposure! What can I do?" and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at 'please.'" into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "'I am sure if I had known--' "No, thank goodness, she did not." Stoke Moran." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Murdered?" "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which sufficient punishment." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "I say that I have solved it." his face which made him a very different person to the round, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out some water from a caraffe. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual been able to understand it, in a very few words. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather not personally threatened." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it pressing in one house as in another. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions new acquaintance to Baker Street. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very few hundred pounds.' provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad which should have the effect of calling the attention of the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for it." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "I will not look." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the time." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he photograph a cabinet?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "In what way?" asked Holmes. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Who by?" quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a province." "There is the writing." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was writers could invent nothing more crude." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now status with the IRS. lost nothing by them." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Has he come with you to-night?" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Does that suggest anything?" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every some city in a dream. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly not use it unless it is absolutely needed." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Yes." think that any burglar could have done. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to undoubtedly my uncle's." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Here?" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me electronic works "That is possible." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "But the mystery?" inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of said he. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no hand, madam?" naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "It was." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than ill-usage at the hands of fortune. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there remarked. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Where, indeed?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a might help us?" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you you want, then?' large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's companion. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens relief. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "And did you observe any change in her then?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening until night should bring an explanation. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief,