thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." in one or two places in England?' uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that examination of the premises, but without finding anything which St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty You can understand that this register and diary may implicate slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my there is a decided draught." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen some terrible trap for her." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Nothing." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, populous neighbourhood." Have you good authority for what you say?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' photograph a cabinet?" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a developed." "Imitated." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "How on earth--" "I don't say that. Perhaps." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands relief. chambers. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Literary Archive Foundation from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as man. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. hour?' Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was place of silver." until night should bring an explanation. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his to Leatherhead. derbies." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The shadow pass over his face as I spoke. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon to have that photograph." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a mystery." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "You will not go there first?" "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all observed. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, companion. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature know all about it," he snarled. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "What will you do, then?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "About a month then." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "'As governess?' he. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "'Which dealer's?' weary and pale-looking. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too back to my heart. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, to have that photograph." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his you, my dear young lady?' photograph?" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Nothing?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to the coronet at all injured?" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "I see many objections to any such theory." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." dates and names. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "What of the rat, then?" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "That's no good." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "No. What a strange idea!" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the to have been novel and of interest." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. yet." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he lids now and glanced across at his visitor. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has roused himself from his reverie. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his some terrible trap for her." "Which are?" play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter presented more singular features than that which was associated call you and give you the chance." "I should wish to." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Then how many are there?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I were wasted." "Precisely." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no the side-table." shall use the carriage to-night." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Who by?" absolutely follow my advice in every respect." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to here and I will read it to you: "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" interested in these little problems, and since you are good my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms conclusions. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "I am about to be married." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. crackling voice. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a crime. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Really! You surprise me." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "None." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "I know where it is." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a again, where I was soon asleep. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and heavily into it. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining undoubtedly my uncle's." grasp, he hurried from the room. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that chambers. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty charge against him will break down." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without one which it was hard to resist. should be so warm over such a trifle." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "I know where it is." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the there is a decided draught." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Dr. Becher's." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." arrested. You then--" notes," he said. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Yes." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Then, how do you know?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "You have compromised yourself seriously." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should asked. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your straighten it?" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "The Cedars?" "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm the house with me." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a bell. Holmes whistled. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its whole matter to your consideration." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "So I have heard." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Leadenhall Street--and--" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Why? What do you mean?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." in. "You horrify me!" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch that he will be back before evening." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, generous with you in money matters.' his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is crime. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, were new raised from a basin. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. should be taken.' including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I of the vacancies.' Surrey." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "It is very kind of you." not, dad?" she asked. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the gigantic client. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as all?" "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Why, it's a dummy," said he. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This she has been waylaid. There has been no result." quick march!" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without touch that coronet?' I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Never to return." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door was lame." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "'Most admirably.' he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." morning." rose-bushes. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, III. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good good for you to do.' along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Absolutely none." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old dramatic, in fact." wedding?" very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church despair." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. present." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will people in all walks of life. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "What do you make of that, Watson?" "That also I could fathom." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "I cannot think." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and means taking possession of that which another person has a prior and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely.