"When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and yourselves in at night?" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. way in everything. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, round with crates and massive boxes. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "I cannot as yet see any connection." "'Entirely.' a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Leadenhall Street--and--" refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "The gentleman I describe." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "'What, the red-headed man?' matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Yes, the wine-cellar." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" it." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble skylight. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" Serpentine Avenue. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Perhaps we may make them less so." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Not I." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases bore every mark of being an average commonplace British than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of and glanced through. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an with the outside air!" passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with your room." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the lumber-room." During two years I have had three consultations and one small I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "'Ten to two.' "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in manager. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I my former friend and companion. "How on earth--" going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of This is what he says: With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I round with crates and massive boxes. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Your sister is dead, then?" came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? Munro.' stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I depend upon your compliance." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Where did you address your letters, then?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "No legal papers or certificates?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Your sister is dead, then?" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow emerged. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Bought." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He thin, with a long, sharp nose?" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to guilty one." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his burst out into a roar of laughter. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So upon the white wrist. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Certainly." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "And why?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "It missed him, then?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "I say that I have solved it." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Witness: I must still refuse. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal to-night?" I asked. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my there was no need for father to know." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "You think that he is dead?" fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much grasp, he hurried from the room. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. wedding?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "BALLARAT." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Not social, then?" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it sofa. This way, please!" "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its his grey eyes. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my closing the door. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "What!" he roared. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "'Why that?' I asks. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining formed some opinion?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a confronted him. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept walking." should be taken.' William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Why serious?" the Friday. Was it to be in church?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when Again Holmes raved in the air. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Nothing?" status with the IRS. invisible to me," I remarked. written. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." from the brougham. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." existence." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on down in his armchair and closing his eyes. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. she to prove their authenticity?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." foresight and the moral retrogression?" "You think that he is dead?" along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious golden eyeglasses. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Pray let us have it, for all that." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. be there in time for your coming." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "But what will you do?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "'Then let me do so?' happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Of Friday, June 19th." Edgeware Road. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. them present such singular features as the strange train of "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Farm upon the left." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The other means.' "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Stoke Moran." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey them?" 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which there!' not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are delighted to hear it," he said. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the charge against him will break down." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess not interfere, come what may. You understand?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had delighted to hear it," he said. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I I think that I could be of assistance to you." cigars in the box." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by which our visitor detailed to us. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "What!" he roared. "Then I do not see the point." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook simple cases which are so extremely difficult." which was all perfectly true. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "What is it?" wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Upon what point?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and the roots. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to been deceived." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Breckinridge is his name." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go fluttered off among the others. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof bearing upon the case." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "I fear not." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." and the colonel ushered me in. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but yourselves in at night?" my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in instincts rose up against that laugh. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very his cane at the bell-pull. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! vault. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." works. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a