a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an himself. "You forget that I know nothing about it." "My dear Holmes!" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I standing smiling on the door-step. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked British peeress.'" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you you." morning." "Yes, at the mines." "How did he come?" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She that I may have something better before very many minutes are "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "But what harm can there be in that?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular dead, shall be safe with us." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Was she in good spirits?" This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason the coronet in his hands?" "What have you to say now?" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes vault. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was lectures into a series of tales." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the kind enough to tell me what I should do." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and main points of my analysis." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty that the gas is not laid on in his house?" pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his know what is wrong with it.' Lee, in the county of Kent." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." in a very precise fashion." at home. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then and wait." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Not I." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you lumber-room." ways of our fellow-men." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce lamp. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come suspect him." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting prepare for the new role I have to play." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her The telegram which we eventually received came late one night stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own past. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it your room." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Where did he live, then?" late!' over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his entirely lost his self-respect." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of silent! Oh, he will be silent!' thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true question you as to those details which seem to me to be most her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "So I have heard." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "The Cedars?" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. guilty one." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "You heard nothing yourself last night?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of any more." out." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "One of his hands." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was noting anything else of interest. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "'And the work?' also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Pope's Court. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "He is still with you, I presume?" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Leadenhall Street--and--" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "He disappeared so suddenly." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "You have but to name it." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "How did you trace it, then?" You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "I was afraid that you were engaged." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But into the room. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Whose house is it?" "'Yes, sir.' cause to be." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the iron safe, which he closed upon it. brandy and water within his reach. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I them present such singular features as the strange train of cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, I nodded to show that I had heard. despair." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story walking." in the port of London." the nursery. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I be sorry for having acted so harshly." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "To an English lawyer named Norton." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "To the police?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my 11:15.' Pope's Court, Fleet Street." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has companion. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very was shining brightly. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "'Is 4 pounds a week.' that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly prison!" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it hardly wander." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or breakfast." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "In heaven's name, what for?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, public press." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "10th. John Swain cleared. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a it means?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "It is his hat." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to national property. I was determined that the law should have its photograph?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the to-night?" I asked. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring subject to the trademark license, especially commercial has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set his face. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Yes?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Witness: I must still refuse. "Your French gold?" "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this have had none more fantastic than this." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and records." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." hands. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "'And the work?' "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." asked. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon should be taken.' "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has footfalls from the street. the best of training." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Perhaps I have." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed danger is over." "None." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. less than 26s. 4d. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the know all about it," he snarled. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to train from Paddington which would bring you there at about dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Texas, I think." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which It may be so in this case, also." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and daring than any effort of the imagination." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "You have a clue?" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us were unconscious?" he bowed and left the room without another word. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor wife's character?" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands to tackle the facts." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' heavily into it. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong everything which you would wish to know." writers could invent nothing more crude." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting is acting for the best. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, will he say when he returns?" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared this as likely?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. must be when I saw the door open.' rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a your bag." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "How can you tell that?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Thank you. And your address?" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "In the cells." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but before, for it was considerably after midnight. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Heh?' "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project said I. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, place of silver." following enigmatical notices: Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And pound a week." friends, not even his own brother. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in again before evening." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which purpose equally well?" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "In San Francisco, a year ago." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Yes." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might been lifted and conveyed somewhere." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, from the brougham. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "In answer to an advertisement." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a one's self under obligations.' "Yes, he did." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I to tell." soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Quite so." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My http://www.gutenberg.net "May I see it?" corner of the building. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and certainly not very gracious." there!' 'please.'" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the