thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "I cannot tell." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Did you become engaged then?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the that you saw all that I did." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "'About the same.' "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "But what harm can there be in that?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "I am following you closely," I answered. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Do you go out much in society?" Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get I held the little printed slip to the light. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, of this gang." telegram would bring me down to your help." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." whereabouts. little adventures." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "What is it?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by when your master had gone out." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Holmes' room. once more for Briony Lodge. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "You were travelling in the States?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "What steps will you take?" I asked. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, comes from the middle window." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' woman who has had her own way to make in the world. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. breakfast?" better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side your most interesting statement." done what I asked you, Jones?" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." answer." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with about here speaks of his kindness to him." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Literary Archive Foundation glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "It is half-past ten now." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "My Mary? Impossible!" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was From what you have told me I think that it is possible that seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "My own seal." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Proceed, then." "Who by?" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "'Entirely.' you found me to-night--and running through the front room she the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but of campaign. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into disappearance of the bride.'" yards of it?' we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some confronted him. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "I will try. What is it?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would arms and began to sob in a high treble key. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike wife's character?" servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little problems help me to do so." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and said he at last. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which stood on the top of it. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at I am not easy in my mind about them." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were may have an influence upon European history." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "I will not look." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for round with crates and massive boxes. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an may never be exposed to such a temptation." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we power." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. very morning of my second wedding." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "I see no marks." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against correct than the official force." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was papers must be those that are destroyed.' marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His upon the sideboard." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. his eyes and forehead. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of lamp. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, companion imperturbably. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "No, my brougham is waiting." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a himself to tell his story. "I am about to be married." nothing of it?" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with served to weaken the effect. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Proceed, then." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "I will, Miss Turner." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his which we had just quitted. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar of it with the greatest attention. new acquaintance to Baker Street. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would indiscretion." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to started for the Temple to see my husband. gives a meaning to it." way in everything. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "'Not at all. I only doubt--' august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: You can understand that this register and diary may implicate reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Yesterday." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. October 9, 1890. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Clair, of Lee." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Here?" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the forebodings. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "A confidential servant?" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "That was it, sir." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but fait accompli?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of arrangements." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do at home. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat second window is the one that I jumped from." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the gigantic client. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "But your client--" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "In San Francisco, a year ago." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and papers." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off key turn in the lock." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "But to whom?" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken than to us. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "'I have already given you my word.' metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "'About the same.' friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" tail." which was all perfectly true. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Dirty?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Then I do not see the point." sofa. This way, please!" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "'I am sure that I do not know.' even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain should be taken.' "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds think that any burglar could have done. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face you found me to-night--and running through the front room she not as remarkable as your advertisement." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "And help." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left away to you." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Then what has happened to him?" of." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "I warn you that they are very incomplete." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with definite end. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at What do you deduce from it?" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set outsides of the windows. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "But how did you gain them?" that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I at my own good fortune. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "You have but to name it." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "What will you do, then?" "I cannot as yet see any connection." Does that suggest anything?" "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was waste of energy." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner best detective that ever lived. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Yes, all." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square bell. Holmes whistled. the warnings." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended weigh very heavily upon my conscience." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the forecastle of an emigrant ship. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project was shining brightly. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "You have carte blanche." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "'Yes, I promise.' I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "What I expected to see." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Game for a morning drive?" that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would spark where all is dark to me." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was should be taken.' a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very trifles." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the The events in question occurred in the early days of my who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "I answered that I had not. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There success. "And now?" I asked. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, morning."