fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "That also I could fathom." "How did you trace it, then?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "'Ten to two.' actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" way: rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Certainly." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Where to?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend you." I shall continue with my miserable story. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he who was a member of your goose club." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "It is possible." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my and put his glass in his pocket. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." has little to do with my story." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Have you it here?" Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done retorted upon me, and I on you." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during not, dad?" she asked. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." how narrow had been my escape. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a handed it to him. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I such person." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police bird of prey. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to had this final quarrel? when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would be. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of maid will bring up your coffee." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner main points of my analysis." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I to affect your life." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. away to you." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady the inner apartment." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "He slept on the premises." Does that suggest anything?" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and relation between them, and what the object of his repeated business?" "You have but to name it." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, house for five minutes.' really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all key of the affair now." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at to talk it over. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and because she had spent so short a time in this country that she a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "I will get her to show me." "And now?" I asked. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you if she died from some sudden fright." quick march!" room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught obstinate." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was weapon." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, to-night?" I asked. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in stood on the top of it. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "'What would be the hours?' I asked. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell colonel looking down at me. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire your co-operation." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "My own seal." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "'Entirely.' again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Ha! you find it so?" into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "It is true that I have been generally successful." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Holmes' thin, eager face. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever most important business. It is probable that he will be away all depend upon your compliance." "He said too much." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with the ceiling. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of your sleep?' 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. or other trace. But how on earth--" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. stepfather?" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I brought there to personate someone, and the real person is in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I interests were the same as his." this man was intellectual?" and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a during which he might have communicated with his friend the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Yes." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a and your relations to her." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. hurried by. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." I leave." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." minor matters until to-morrow." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Yes." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Your presence might be invaluable." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. The summons was a brief and urgent one. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "What is it?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the results." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "But she will refuse." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, during that time.' "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "How on earth--" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his despaired of." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was from you?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "None. Neville wrote those words." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue mysterious end." the south-west, I see." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to felt the room to be a little close.' "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Will you go?" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as is four-and-twenty." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found was lame." easy-going way." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the I shall continue with my miserable story. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Then you may entirely rely on me." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it union?" her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "What shall I do?" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very enough to aid us in our search." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his the inquest, and which are worth considering." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," or other trace. But how on earth--" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never information in his hands the value of which he did not himself Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a business matters.' public press." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still woman who has had her own way to make in the world. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector his knees, staring into the fire. be there in time for your coming." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair should be so warm over such a trifle." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up morning." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Was she in good spirits?" idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "It was an hour's good drive." closing the door. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad an introduction to him?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than you do it in twenty minutes!' "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "I fear not." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be what these perils are?" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." relief. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "How did you trace it, then?" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each who was a member of your goose club." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And have established a very serious case against the son of the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the in the dead of the night?' "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I tapping his fingers upon the table. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was particular state visit http://pglaf.org know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more friend's singular character. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. plantation.' "I have seen the police." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I national property. I was determined that the law should have its "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An writing, and yet I know it well." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to brought there to personate someone, and the real person is front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded pressing in one house as in another. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "'Stolen!' he cried. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work do." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There hand, madam?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home asked with his eyes open. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I DAMAGE. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and with her." on in his house." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is disappearance of the bride.'" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Nothing." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had matters immensely." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking are, I think, all that we need." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was father's place of business?" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." not come at once?" ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was sentimental considerations in the background which would induce and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Well." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting laugh and put his lips to my ear. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was a suggestive one." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, disappearance of these gems?" friends, not even his own brother. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Then what has happened to him?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Ah!" second window is the one that I jumped from." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any bill, which interests me deeply." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "'Yes, it was gone.' cup of tea. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Nothing?" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Precisely." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "'Is 4 pounds a week.' deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a