sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "I am following you closely," I answered. to-night?" I asked. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. call the police, let the police find what they can.' them?" smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining pound a week." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here presented which may be striking and bizarre without being to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. out." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then and laid it on the table. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself Sutherland. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining one of the states of the Union." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me I approached. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Really! You surprise me." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what village inn over there?" facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. see a sister of mine apply for." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from spare." "No." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." or other trace. But how on earth--" it. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "But she will refuse." "You horrify me!" "Yes." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your system of imprisonment?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts careless servant girl?" sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "And what did you learn from him?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "That is it on the dressing-table." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of the warnings." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "And that is--" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "It looks newer than the other things?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "In which, sir?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. were unconscious?" "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near a very grave face. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Farm upon the left." hard-headed British jury." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it what is your own theory as to what took place?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "To an end?" prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Murdered?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was in the dead of the night?' he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "I fear not." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "By all means." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you in my life." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to head. So long, then!" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by bird of prey. went to the Alpha were town bred." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "'I have heard so.' too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "'Certainly not.' "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." she used." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the plantation.' main points of my analysis." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of hurried by. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled I leave." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a some terrible trap for her." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Why? What do you mean?" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, and all of them with the keenest interest. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "What office?" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Only as much as we can deduce." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "We must have a cab." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Precisely so. But how--" "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Just look it up, then." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "What do you mean?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "It is to him that this trophy belongs." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been disappearance of these gems?" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a both be extremely obliged.' safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his of Mr. Rucastle's." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "The King of Scandinavia." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet conceal it?" "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. letters?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came dear old homesteads?" of a light. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout States. http://www.gutenberg.net absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of strength of mind to control. empty. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Precisely." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice husband's writing, madam." mystery may be cleared along those lines." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Yes." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Yesterday." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never had picked up in the wood. enough to aid us in our search." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out everything which you would wish to know." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "My opinion is in no way altered." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so bonnet, and went out." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "To the police?" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." than to us. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I that before taking the final step I should like to submit the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "'Why that?' I asks. "And how did you find out?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his should be taken.' "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son been deceived." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A gone before you can get him to hospital." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in compunction about shooting them down." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return triumphant cloud from his cigarette. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that that the gas is not laid on in his house?" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of the salesman. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." which it had come upon my father." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who at once, for I have only half an hour." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in again on its way. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Yes." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at one's self under obligations.' 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Have you it here?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for mystery." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle companion. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with the warnings." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in for securing the situation." digesting their breakfasts at home." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project putting in the horse. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in companion. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be as the one I chose?' "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to Lestrade of Scotland Yard." case-book, which he consulted. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "And who is her maid?" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded likely to be some crony of the landlady's." and the church but not where the lady lived." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, already been minutely examined." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "How do you know, then?" "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The what do you think they found in the pockets?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "She showed me, as I told you she would." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "How long did she speak to this Alice?" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "I will, Miss Turner." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "What will you do, then?" "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "I am still in the dark." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have is four-and-twenty." delirious. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "You know me, then?" "Precisely." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project not come at once?" "I was mad--insane." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Thank you. And your address?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "He is dead," cried several voices. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Your presence might be invaluable." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small ways of our fellow-men." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "On Monday."