fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three was shining brightly. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Never." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her upon the sideboard." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Is he quiet?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem she used." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. there in twenty minutes." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Yes." read it out to me." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap lost nothing by them." the night.' "Proceed, then." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. here." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "But of what society?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are the inner apartment." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will some place of shelter and let the county police know what has preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that six. Come in!" manager. "Nearly eleven." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "To ruin me." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty spare." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of was already answered. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new of fine shops and stately business premises that they really blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" that he will be back before evening." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." depend upon your compliance." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master I nodded again. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's been anything against him. He had for years been known as a calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his directors, with the result that you have seen." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor the running down." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking said he. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the remarked. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit your room." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my into the room. conceal it?" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Precisely." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Holmes. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would as the one I chose?' immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "He said too much." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." exactly what you advise." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your derbies." that threaten you." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which said I. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy she used." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were joking. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders other, as fresh and trim as possible. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The way in." "It came here." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. his face. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Just look it up, then." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, said I. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "I cannot say that I have." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Bought." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who noble correspondent could be. of them has the shutters up.' landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "It is solved." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. business." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when been anything against him. He had for years been known as a waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day acquaintance?" "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are have had none more fantastic than this." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his the bottom.' "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Precisely so. But how--" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled once more on the important position which you have been fortunate considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are it? Did I buy the geese off you?" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been some water from a caraffe. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. exactly what you advise." "None." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, DAMAGE. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the thin legs towards the fire. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" few hundred pounds.' Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "To an end?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the closing the door. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to said I. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "It certainly sounds feasible." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen a very grave face. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." just called myself is not exactly my own." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." clanging. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the Eyford." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That careless servant girl?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did was a perfect sample of the class. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. hour." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "On your arm?" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me his cane at the bell-pull. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before sneer upon his pale face. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his crime. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. burst out into a roar of laughter. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that question you as to those details which seem to me to be most drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He chance." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. Does that suggest anything?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and the side-table." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." death." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Entirely." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Yes." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do entirely devoid of interest." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their excitement. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day occupations.' "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "And I." own family. "Ample." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting bled considerably." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of Sutherland?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, to miss it." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer gone. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to events than those which have happened in my own family." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' head. So long, then!" may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. in my life." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much disappearance of the bride.'" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, must compliment you." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "And how have you succeeded?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Lee, in the county of Kent." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Was she in good spirits?" "Here?" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Leadenhall Street--and--" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned,