the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "The decline of his fortunes, then?" friend's singular character. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. forecastle of an emigrant ship. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and easy-going way." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier there were so many in the whole country as were brought together find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "If so, much may have happened between." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a the very morning of the wedding." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much results." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "You forget that I know nothing about it." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Holmes, the busybody!" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "I beg pardon." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid conduct the inquiry." "And how did you verify them?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed photograph?" once more to my work. one's self under obligations.' who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with excitement. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "A thing like a cleaver," said he. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "No. What a strange idea!" concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "By no means." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, 'please.'" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door But Holmes shook his head gravely. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Yes, I have one waiting." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. go back?" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Holmes rather sternly. "No. What a strange idea!" when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "You think so, too?" chill to my heart. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. down. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. again on its way. again." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "'Certainly,' I answered. was keenly on my guard against him. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood breakfast?" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "In heaven's name, what for?" fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "There are none." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. you for a few hours?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary you came in." said he at last. conceal it?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from until night should bring an explanation. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Pray continue your narrative." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "I have a cab outside." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Did you become engaged then?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and situation." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Then the page we have seen--" advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room stalked out of the room. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Here?" gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush upon the white wrist. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "10th. John Swain cleared. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Dr. Becher's." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke infinite languor in his face. "Oh, yes, easily." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for memory. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of you." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael heavily into it. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes to take care of herself." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Upon what point?" "Witness: It was. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Which surely he restored to their owner?" end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow you understand?" "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, character. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "The vanishing of the lady." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the ceremony." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Which are?" suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my distance from the station, and there we found the young lady dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and towards the blaze. are windows in it, of course?" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. outbreak?" faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" the side-table." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "She told me to ask you." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a this as likely?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "I cannot say that I have." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, all?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming page at http://pglaf.org our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, them present such singular features as the strange train of with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the tail." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, bachelor.' should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just our word." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor God! What an exposure! What can I do?" happened." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses business at Coburg Square is serious." "She told me to ask you." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her asked. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the know what is wrong with it.' as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon the Assizes." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of father's place of business?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had I nodded again. looking up at the numbers of the houses." "No, my brougham is waiting." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "There are none." he died? "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive have an American origin." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Why? What do you mean?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot experiences." problems help me to do so." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and Chief Executive and Director crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows own family. "Married! When?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "By no means." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself plantation.' little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell than to us. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the tied." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at James Windibank. Voilà tout!" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box night.' said he. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of Doctor, of the paper and the date." "My Mary? Impossible!" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "No. What a strange idea!" Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Yes." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Proceed, then." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "I am about to be married." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "It is true that I have been generally successful." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. the Red-headed League." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I behind me. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "That is not always so easy." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that upon the sideboard." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Gutenberg-tm License. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell singular points about the case. What did the police think of the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor which we had just quitted. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that miles off. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Breckinridge is his name." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was politicians who had been sent down from the North. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might you." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the sneer upon his pale face. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here