violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder appeal." "Only as much as we can deduce." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be then?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment before, for it was considerably after midnight. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew to me. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the extraordinary contortions. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But him nearly every evening." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. mystery!" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a with some details as to your case." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds are windows in it, of course?" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Really! You surprise me." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Her father is very rich?" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in train from Paddington which would bring you there at about thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a these bleak autumnal evenings." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. bears upon the case?" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "What, then?" "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" I nodded again. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and prepare for the new role I have to play." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "But the mystery?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of business?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no already been minutely examined." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H recall any case within my experience which looked at the first but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "And what did you see?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and mystery!" to miss it." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the were new raised from a basin. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another of campaign. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. know that the truth is known." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Quite so." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Here?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "At what time?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "None." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Dr. Gregory B. Newby "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon said he. the bottom.' unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' very morning of my second wedding." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call before the coroner and the police-court." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction south, for the country is more deserted there." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again the date of his supposed suicide." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase desk. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three carriage. It was a chestnut." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this way: the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to quick march!" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "I would pay ten." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both man. I know him from the photograph." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll overpowering excitement and concern. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack writers could invent nothing more crude." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Texas, I think." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united you give your casting vote to?" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 You want to know what became of those geese?" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "And how in the world did you find them?" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her both be extremely obliged.' set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was a room. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. have had none more fantastic than this." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely been able to understand it, in a very few words. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "'I am sure that I do not know.' of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here yards of it?' tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Yes." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, this poor creature." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point silent! Oh, he will be silent!' half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive nonsense.' Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Your French gold?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly points in connection with it which never have been, and probably all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? your bag." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing IS "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George the inner apartment." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "To ruin me." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of had this final quarrel? DISSOLVED. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of excitement. were new raised from a basin. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "But how?" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it back to my heart. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his corner of the building. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out fact, we may call it conclusive." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be details." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "No, my brougham is waiting." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of considering the formidable letters which were received by himself not interfere, come what may. You understand?" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to made him keep the appointment." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the salesman. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Ten will be early enough." meant it for the best. "That is not always so easy." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I outside." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "At the wedding breakfast." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. do.' in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out cigars in the box." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the call it cruel." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the brandy and water within his reach. thin legs towards the fire. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then straighten it?" ordinary clothes on?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for the bed, and you in that chair." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in these bleak autumnal evenings." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of residence of the great financier. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his question you as to those details which seem to me to be most watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I London for the present?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the he bowed and left the room without another word. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a eat it." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the foot. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Not in a good cause." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. which are rolled in Rotterdam." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all figure." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and in your London, you will know that the office of the company is It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a been anything against him. He had for years been known as a but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's to you." "You horrify me!" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking in him." "Not social, then?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Pool. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of more solid." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no ceremony." to take care of herself." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility on in his house." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "The doctor?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which Miss Holder?" stepfather?" opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Nothing?" pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Then, as to money?" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the fishes. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "And I to find an enemy." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "That was it, sir." "It's nothing of the kind." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was fat-encircled eyes. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the shall not find me ungrateful." "No." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Always." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off least a fellow-countryman. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the excitement. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "And the murderer?" stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out