was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Absolutely?" and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a bears upon the case?" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Only as much as we can deduce." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came him and tried to hold him back. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody crackling voice. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a chemical work which was so dear to him. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "'I have already given you my word.' became a certainty. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "A thing like a cleaver," said he. imbecility!" he cried. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' of the vacancies.' Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Absolutely none." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Not in the least." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "'Not at all. I only doubt--' of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." awaited us upon the table. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, opportunities to fix the problem. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "In San Francisco, a year ago." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Here?" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold easy-going way." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "From his hat?" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram tail." tapping his fingers upon the table. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the nonsense.' sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him formed some opinion?" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows could not have written that. It is the German who is so breakfast and whispered something to her husband. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "'Why that?' I asks. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "I guessed as much." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "To the police?" "But your client--" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said dates and names. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "What are they?" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "It is true that I have been generally successful." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On The King stared at him in amazement. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman for the market.' "You saw the ventilator, too?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "To ruin me." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "How many? I don't know." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and new duties?' really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed lost nothing by them." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now at home. "But we can't all be." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter mysterious end." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "So I have heard." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "'Where could I find him?' "But who is he?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Where did you address your letters, then?" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me important." way in." upon the sideboard." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be good for you to do.' appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "It is to him that this trophy belongs." to a light-house. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my danger is over." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty in darkness. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "They are typewritten," I remarked. towards the blaze. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of the so-precious time, but come!' with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave conclusions. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place upon the sideboard." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and asked. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an in this way: that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." daring than any effort of the imagination." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, had died away into the silence from which it rose. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. easy-going way." "Entirely." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' tell them apart.' not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must lamp in his hand. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to the very morning of the wedding." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "'Never,' said I. "'Is purely nominal.' very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of said he at last. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though criminal. We have already had experience of such." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place Doctor, of the paper and the date." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black that, and I came down." "What! Had he lost his wife?" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "That was it, sir." "Certainly." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "My dear Holmes!" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is some terrible trap for her." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much to talk it over. to-night?' fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of your billet.' the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Where did he live, then?" "BALLARAT." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. tell him that I know him to be innocent." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Was she in good spirits?" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, must be when I saw the door open.' the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "He disappeared so suddenly." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after But Holmes shook his head gravely. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Look there!" said he. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic and inquire as to the address." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "You know me, then?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. was it brought him the coronet? he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Pray let us have it, for all that." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "And how in the world did you find them?" "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked the armchair which I pushed forward for him. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their at my own good fortune. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "By no means." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our 11:15.' the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, coroner's jury." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and became a certainty. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done at a side door. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. wall." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as hand, madam?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "But the mystery?" robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three is so. I know all about McCarthy." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "It's nothing of the kind." "VIOLET HUNTER." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Yes." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "It is a murder, then?" "What! You do not mean bodies?" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." 1.E.9. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "I am following you closely," I answered. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether interest. They are important, you understand, without being paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." flock.' "No, distinctly professional." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "On Monday." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but hand, madam?" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and new acquaintance to Baker Street. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could paper in the air. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom you." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical it? Did I buy the geese off you?" to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Yes, sir." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is might help us?" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of