safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming bill, which interests me deeply." like gravel from a pit.' so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when you." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "We must sit without light. He would see it through the of campaign. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are have I gained?" London for the present?" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" of your young ladies.' the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "'There is a drive, then?' besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To very old mansion. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Tired-looking or fresh?" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by think, you have already met." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came I shall communicate with you." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent peculiar to him. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "That is it on the dressing-table." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as for its centre. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to his cane at the bell-pull. "And how did you find out?" the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I appeared upon the scene." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or forebodings. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and window when the police appeared." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than yourselves in at night?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Entirely." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." depend upon my doing so.' "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "How are you getting on?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Is he quiet?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties started for the Temple to see my husband. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "The vanishing of the lady." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one your Highness to the police-station?" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face to have that photograph." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder investigation." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "My opinion is in no way altered." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may most interesting one." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a detective. crowd. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "And now?" I asked. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" writer." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone points in connection with it which never have been, and probably myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking him to be an active member of the medical profession." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Mary, has deserted me." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was your co-operation." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by with you alone." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Cross for the Continent." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost know that the truth is known." there in twenty minutes." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Yes." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a tell him that I know him to be innocent." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Young McCarthy must be got off, however." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "When did it break out?" member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, and a shock of very red hair. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. occupations.' "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "At what time?" discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "And who is her maid?" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. if only as a check to my own memory." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had fat-encircled eyes. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and astonishment. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in detective. "What! You do not mean bodies?" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Indeed! Whose, then?" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the him, that man would not have given me such complete information things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close together. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "I answered that I had not. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as face and glided from the room. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "And you can do nothing until then?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with unprofitable." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading arrangements." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I into her hand at the door and which lured her within their What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned to go into your room and bar your shutters?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "It is very clear." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their ventilator." "You have but to name it." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." I approached. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare from the brougham. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch weary and pale-looking. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Will you go?" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of of Fenchurch Street." "Pray do so." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his following enigmatical notices: tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "A client, then?" slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" fatally injured? that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "You have the photograph?" "Well, but China?" "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," children over to America with him, so that I found myself without directors have had misgivings upon the subject." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And your room." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Dark enough and sinister enough." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Dr. Becher's." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. guilty one." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was if she died from some sudden fright." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in strange features which were associated with the two crimes which banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Ample." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it The note was undated, and without either signature or address. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to Lee, in the county of Kent." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Your presence might be invaluable." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. neither fascinating nor artistic." gbnewby@pglaf.org he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the orange pips. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and there were one or two details which were new to me. But the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the article?" "To an end?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "What then?" living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have or other trace. But how on earth--" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "It is very kind of you." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with photograph?" week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Awake, Watson?" he asked. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "You are hungry," I remarked. "I promise," said Holmes. spare." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely even so self-evident a thing as that." his grey eyes. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an outsides of the windows. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I into the room. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "I have hopes." chamber." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He mystery." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Yes." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the three of the beryls in it, was missing. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a the coronet at all injured?" them, and came down just as you departed. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the noting anything else of interest. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower through." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Stolen." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with most interesting one." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his notes," he said. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything were wasted." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring rose-bushes. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. foresight and the moral retrogression?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have get her out of the way." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you may never be exposed to such a temptation." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Perhaps I have." Holmes." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "How can you tell that?" of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "My dear Holmes!" to take care of herself." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." just ask you whether you had heard it.' "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called reach." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful considering the formidable letters which were received by himself among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked standing smiling on the door-step. yet." "Will you go?" Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in the room while you explain this matter?"