make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we chair. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the know that the truth is known." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case a little more before I quite committed myself. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural noise which awoke you from your sleep?" woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire brain must have something in it." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Very murderous indeed." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew said Mr. Holder. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "And how?" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me purpose equally well?" "Yes, it was twisted." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Young McCarthy must be got off, however." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was the one as in the other." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they one which it was hard to resist. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, right! Sit down and let us talk it over." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "How often?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own that?' "You have the photograph?" fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "There is the writing." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Why? What do you mean?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "I have a cab outside." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Then I do not see the point." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a But Holmes shook his head gravely. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at habit of advancing money.' waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project think that any burglar could have done. individual and becomes the badge of a society." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I washing it down with a long draught of water. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "He is still with you, I presume?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "'And what salary do you ask?' whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of the stones. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or like that before?" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "On the contrary, this is the right side." yet." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss she used." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "No, I had a dozen." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it became a certainty. other means.' Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Street. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "What can you not understand?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must out of this horrible affair." call you and give you the chance." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so sentimental considerations in the background which would induce slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and have had none more fantastic than this." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Seven!" I answered. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Certainly." some water from a caraffe. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" his cane at the bell-pull. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he to a light-house. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "And what did you learn from him?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the there." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "And now?" I asked. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." death." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark your sleep?' than was visible to me." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the prisoner's face. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "'Yes.' called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events deduce something from that?" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must over with notes and figures. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. you?' round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw I held the little printed slip to the light. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed felt the room to be a little close.' to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the any more." results." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread test if we have an answer to our advertisement." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful money should be paid at once.' me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "I have my revolver," said I. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders fashion which was peculiar to him. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Because he was handy and would come cheap." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Breckinridge is his name." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting of the one which your family is now devouring." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for putting in the horse. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "What have you done?" asked Holmes. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if hand, madam?" common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "I have seen the police." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "You heard nothing yourself last night?" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. strength." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "'And what salary do you ask?' ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" direction." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, never to learn it at all." the stones. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another disturbance in my wife." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Edgeware Road. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to arrangements." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this obstinate." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Was the window open?" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the his eyes and forehead. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "What then?" "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. which are rolled in Rotterdam." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an both be extremely obliged.' again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and like gravel from a pit.' strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, is a common subject for conversation. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Yes, at the mines." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon The telegram which we eventually received came late one night look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, taking in every detail of the apartment. "She will not sell." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "He is still with you, I presume?" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your events than those which have happened in my own family." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a the coronet in his hands?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and deduce something from that?" to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense address. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do happened." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "And the murderer?" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of was a loud and authoritative tap. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "What then?" the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion Pope's Court, Fleet Street." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your existence." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my not come at once?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of woman." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "I would pay ten." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point approach us with offers to donate. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments It was close upon four before the door opened, and a hardly wander." "Certainly, madam." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Well." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in indiscretion." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Sholtos." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the of Mr. Rucastle's." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper detained." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my obstinate." "Will you bet, then?" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "There is the writing." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, chance." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by fuss that is made over them." "Very murderous indeed." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg ran thus: a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell the bottom.' shall not find me ungrateful." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door be there in time for your coming." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap coat-tails." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a