France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Breckinridge is his name." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "I have hopes." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her do you make of it all?" "I should wish to." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so words came to my lips. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "My Mary? Impossible!" "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "'A dozen yards or so.' envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "He is still with you, I presume?" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are me." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Her father is very rich?" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "That is it on the dressing-table." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor searched, without anything being found which could incriminate forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! in the port of London." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' best detective that ever lived. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Yes, at the mines." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "There are none." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my vanished into the darkness. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Stolen." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Certainly." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "What! a murderous attack?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Then you may entirely rely on me." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Get out!" said he. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. arrested. You then--" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; unprofitable." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too shoulder; "he's all right." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in have established a very serious case against the son of the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Pool. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "We were both in the photograph." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! colour had been driven from his face. Leadenhall Street--and--" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of went to the Alpha were town bred." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Then I do not see the point." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" standing smiling on the door-step. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is chair. which are rolled in Rotterdam." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had matter." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "My Mary? Impossible!" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" of Mr. Rucastle's." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Yes, he did." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "I am following you closely," I answered. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can over part of the map. "What do you read?" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," get her out of the way." "What are they?" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman the stable lane now." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "You forget that I know nothing about it." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his taking in every detail of the apartment. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "The best possible." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "But we can't all be." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard The King stared at him in amazement. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Never." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would http://www.gutenberg.net explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and For additional contact information: fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an enough to aid us in our search." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the the house with me." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "I think that I had better go, Holmes." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "But I have heard all that you have heard." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some during that time.' free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "This concluded the examination of the witness." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "'I am sure if I had known--' "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will writing, and yet I know it well." with you alone." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. taking in every detail of the apartment. made his money." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll the stable lane now." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "I am following you closely," I answered. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Bought." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I row." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way that you saw all that I did." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant forbidden door. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, go--none." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double as the one I chose?' "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered himself. "What will you say?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little Holmes rather sternly. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "You have the photograph?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, go from here to the Strand." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Then I am your man." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the my room." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as noise which awoke you from your sleep?" smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California best detective that ever lived. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Of Friday, June 19th." "Yes, the wine-cellar." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been I leave." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens writing, and yet I know it well." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may definite end. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Was he the only applicant?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster II. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with residence of the great financier. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "No. What a strange idea!" "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly I was concerned in it." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism ready to-morrow?' murdered man." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "In what way?" asked Holmes. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business disappearance of the bride.'" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought My friend smiled. and the colonel ushered me in. certainly do as you advise." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir standing smiling on the door-step. is," said he presently: of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Yes." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "In which, sir?" discontent upon his features. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "In what way?" asked Holmes. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "I should be immensely obliged to you." father's place of business?" in a very precise fashion." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Precisely so. But how--" instincts rose up against that laugh. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Did your wife hear all this?" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "That is not always so easy." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office Again Holmes raved in the air. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. thirty. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot approach us with offers to donate. "This concluded the examination of the witness." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a opportunities to fix the problem. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my for its centre. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All highroad, where all traces were lost. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Of what day?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and cost them two and thirty pounds." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the maiden herself was most instructive." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "A confidential servant?" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest this as likely?" astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there there when the Rucastles went away." husband's writing, madam." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "It certainly sounds feasible." empty. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set very old mansion. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "You did not overhear what they said?" serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some are windows in it, of course?"