frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the fait accompli?" rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Get out!" said he. which our visitor detailed to us. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been colonel looking down at me. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where murdered man." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Very much so." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, results." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Entirely." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter presume?" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "But she will refuse." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little heavily into it. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." following enigmatical notices: building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a spare." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "What then?" my secret was safe in his possession. "On Monday." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. key of the affair now." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "He might." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her envelope. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The have had none more fantastic than this." "Pray let us have it, for all that." pierced for earrings?" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "No." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very on in his house." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Why did you beat the pavement?" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "No." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us bed dies. Does not that strike you?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. take the flies, but not before." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "I shall be delighted." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Where to?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Perhaps I have." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "And you can do nothing until then?" undoubtedly my uncle's." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Very. But will he see it?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." yards of it?' "Yes, there are nearly always some there." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that returned to France?" certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, seven miles from Eyford Station.' American. Then who could this American be, and why should he down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Yes." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "But how will you look?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may the very letters. But what is this written above them?' tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could orange pips. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I to a more successful conclusion." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was his cane at the bell-pull. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "You have a clue?" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography his face which made him a very different person to the round, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Literary Archive Foundation what these perils are?" terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one with frightened eyes at his accuser. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "But it has twice been burgled." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the be.' "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "You think that he is dead?" which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, that I may have something better before very many minutes are lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the constraint." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning is four-and-twenty." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his his grey eyes. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect plantation.' Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Certainly." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And stammered. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the begun to whiten, even as mine has." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would point our research must commence, and we will begin it by held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Yes." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "What then?" Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think the inquest, and which are worth considering." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. straightened it out again. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it the child." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Who by?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and then?" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Certainly, madam." "'A dozen yards or so.' such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" details." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, read over the extraordinary announcement. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be be sorry for having acted so harshly." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had yards of it?' shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few fuss that is made over them." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a your most interesting statement." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "'How far from the body?' brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his woman." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his sofa. This way, please!" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he the inquest, and which are worth considering." Gutenberg-tm License. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "He said that you could solve anything." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Nothing?" as noiselessly as she had come. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this himself in a perplexing position. to me. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "How many? I don't know." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "But it has twice been burgled." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in information in his hands the value of which he did not himself maid will bring up your coffee." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "I am sure." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable and the church but not where the lady lived." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my train.' rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." to Leatherhead. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, security.' has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Holmes, the busybody!" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is to Leatherhead. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger to some other building. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me with some details as to your case." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a about here speaks of his kindness to him." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project This is what he says: about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "And on what day did he meet his death?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "No, thank goodness, she did not." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing His name is Francis Prosper." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall and a shock of very red hair. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, straighten it?" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' next day. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "And on what day did he meet his death?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. made his money." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled minor matters until to-morrow." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I to-night." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "'It is locked up,' I answered. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend writer." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in tell him that I know him to be innocent." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. from the brougham. photograph a cabinet?" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there you?' http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in tell me that you intended to go into harness." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "She told me to ask you." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Was there a secret marriage?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." could go. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "It surprised me." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I bore every mark of being an average commonplace British three of the beryls in it, was missing. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Lee, in the county of Kent." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "I will do it." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "I was certainly surprised to find you there." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Why did you pick him?" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has