the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of companion. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to an introduction to him?" fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Absolutely?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a laugh and put his lips to my ear. "It is no ordinary one." my secret was safe in his possession. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "What is it, then--a fire?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Was your sister dressed?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" His name is Francis Prosper." "And I to find an enemy." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable digesting their breakfasts at home." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "If I can be of use." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his Does that suggest anything?" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips in one or two places in England?' said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "'In my own bureau.' Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the him. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly towards the blaze. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled himself to hunt down. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then will not take me long to tell. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "I assure you that I am in your hands." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy in the port of London." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of that there was nothing in it, after all." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose had this final quarrel? I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "'About the same.' work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and pierced for earrings?" the side-table." "Well, it is a possible supposition." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "An accident, I presume?" have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt keep the flames under. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds light and attacked it." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction of this gang." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Pray let us have it, for all that." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she strong reason behind." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which are, and they are waiting for us." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "And you can do nothing until then?" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another investigation." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this down from London to inquire more deeply into it." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "'Never.' As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" lips." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "'Certainly,' I answered. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of of his shoulders. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in himself in a perplexing position. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Thank you. And your address?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the infinite languor in his face. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the with the outside air!" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "I know where it is." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a main points of my analysis." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the gone. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "I am all attention, madam." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "We must sit without light. He would see it through the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety himself in a perplexing position. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "That sounds a little paradoxical." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low never will be, entirely cleared up. "Which are?" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as his fortune, and I went back to pa. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since that you wished to speak to me?' heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not companion imperturbably. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." done what I asked you, Jones?" passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and me, and I could not think that his explanation of the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "The murder was done with it." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "And that is--" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a problems help me to do so." Holmes." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would be best to do. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Does that suggest anything?" "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "And your mother is alive?" breakfast?" interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker you." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an the ceiling. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and least a most suspicious remark." fear." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him is acting for the best. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative of campaign. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "About a month then." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "And how did he make his money?" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "'Certainly not. But why?' however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, bonnet, and went out." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in when you have done it." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then any little problem which you may submit to me." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" you want, then?' beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Yes, only one." indiscretion." visitors." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Not social, then?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery definite end. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "A call for help, you thought?" the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is least a most suspicious remark." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "What can it mean?" I gasped. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in instincts rose up against that laugh. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "'I have already given you my word.' 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a questioning and rather startled gaze. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to seen the man in the road." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one The note was undated, and without either signature or address. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "'And what salary do you ask?' utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at may have an influence upon European history." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the then?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "But who is he?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "In San Francisco, a year ago." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "'Entirely.' suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I directly by questioning you." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom room had already been engaged for us. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. outbreak?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Yes, sir." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business without a word or a look. direction." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "'You cannot say what it was?' too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, and looked back. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Then how many are there?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" floor.