think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" fled together." "Won't it ring?" someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the and a shock of very red hair. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his eavesdroppers?' or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "She will not sell." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "'And the work?' public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm confronted him. until night should bring an explanation. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Well?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, with you?" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical in the hope of finding them." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I rat could hardly pass through." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "A confidential servant?" garden below. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "How are you getting on?" poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "'I am sure that I do not know.' manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they train from Paddington which would bring you there at about drawing your inferences." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes late!' "But his lameness?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "What do you mean?" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit had formerly been in part my own. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." the driver. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows and all of them with the keenest interest. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "And how did you verify them?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of your equipment. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. that I can to serve you." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons was a lad." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Of Friday, June 19th." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I considering the formidable letters which were received by himself bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more me have 200 pounds?' continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker ventilator." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must province." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me the driver. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no frequently gained my first real insight into the character of chair. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "I have come for advice." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, his grey eyes. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might himself in a perplexing position. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire how narrow had been my escape. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "'Never,' said I. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "No, I had a dozen." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "'You cannot say what it was?' foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of situation." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening arrested. You then--" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "No more words. Get out!" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who thin legs towards the fire. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Certainly." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Precisely so. But how--" it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the bell. Holmes whistled. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who village inn over there?" he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at October 9, 1890. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white he. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with knowledge of the world." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong interest. They are important, you understand, without being convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an woman." "Did you become engaged then?" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his brought there to personate someone, and the real person is step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "It is no ordinary one." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "What shall I do?" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was murdered man." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any giving me time to thank him. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press said he, "my real name is James Ryder." highly," said Holmes. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined tail." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at do you make of it all?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. fuss that is made over them." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "By all means." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your problems help me to do so." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Yes, sir." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any there was no need for father to know." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "'Yes, it was gone.' "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. you?" "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to Doctor, of the paper and the date." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to I am not easy in my mind about them." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "But your client--" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Who was the criminal, then?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had What do you deduce from it?" responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found and have this put in the evening papers." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Stoke Moran?" said he. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed certainly do as you advise." developed." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. dead, shall be safe with us." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young in. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the stepfather?" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine since then to throw any light upon what became of him." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope out of this horrible affair." that he has suffered." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the your Highness to the police-station?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers particular state visit http://pglaf.org naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Pray do so." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "'Entirely.' Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Yes, at the mines." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "When did it break out?" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in skylight. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of wife's character?" and the whole place is in a blaze." "'What, the red-headed man?' straightened it out again. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "And help." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "No, finished." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" would then never go into court at all." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret room?" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "I cannot tell." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. it means?" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their evidence," I remarked. "Did your wife hear all this?" gone. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very young Openshaw's." the driver. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "And for present expenses?" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' depend upon my doing so.' and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" http://www.gutenberg.net as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Young McCarthy must be got off, however." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Thank you. And your address?" he. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all your room." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client important." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." cigars in their mouths. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, hopeless attempt at recovering them." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "None." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Street. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a confronted him. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "I shall most certainly do so." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge and all of them with the keenest interest. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The to-night?' should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down,