will not take me long to tell. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and outbreak?" The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Breckinridge is his name." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, shall use the carriage to-night." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "And why?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge once more for Briony Lodge. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would and glanced through. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off I shall communicate with you." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free and all of them with the keenest interest. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our make me his representative both with the servants and with the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Your presence might be invaluable." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the very morning of the wedding." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. weary and pale-looking. standing smiling on the door-step. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in present." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from would apply.' black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have wedding?" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during fasten all the windows?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. out of this horrible affair." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural do.' you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Yes, he did." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "And when will you call?" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." said Mr. Holder. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "So I heard. You have him here?" the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "And what did you see?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises nothing with him." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." fat-encircled eyes. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of her also." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, enough to aid us in our search." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an have got?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we For additional contact information: would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "In San Francisco, a year ago." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Stoke Moran?" said he. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of astonishment. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "How many? I don't know." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Pray be precise as to details," said he. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "It certainly sounds feasible." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Will you go?" as he folded up the epistle. but preventing her from injuring another. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Stoke Moran?" said he. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, national property. I was determined that the law should have its into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "From his hat?" "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out I approached. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Get out!" said he. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "We have tried and failed." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try so.' in one or two places in England?' indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which nonsense.' The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have the very morning of the wedding." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of his wife has ceased to love him." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Yes." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "And now?" He raised his hand. was already answered. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "But she will refuse." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Seven!" I answered. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham could go. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he good for you to do.' "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Ah!" his knees, staring into the fire. upon the sideboard." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' maiden herself was most instructive." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you felt the room to be a little close.' use an arc-and-compass breastpin." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "I would give my fortune to have them back." answered with a sidelong glance. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or feature." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you the window, rose as we entered. father's young wife. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Pray tell us what has happened to you." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Sholtos." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." affection." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "That also I could fathom." chill to my heart. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to help us in this matter." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the written. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence second." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. tightly behind him. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some rooms." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the call the police, let the police find what they can.' floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "And why in hopes?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Yes, it was twisted." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He enough to aid us in our search." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him case-book, which he consulted. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my once more. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no morning." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Who was the criminal, then?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis the armchair which I pushed forward for him. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest swore that no one else had been in the front room during the the south-west, I see." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Yes." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "I don't say that. Perhaps." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. which it had come upon my father." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, directors, with the result that you have seen." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Nothing." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Certainly, madam." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, it." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." feature." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is wedding?" at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "'Never,' said I. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Murdered?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. from the brougham. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a to-night's adventure." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "But to whom?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly coat-tails." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "That is possible." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "The landlord of the Alpha." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic back into the street. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "It was an hour's good drive." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as call for it in person on Monday morning.' own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "And you thought he was pulled back?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on voice, changing her seat as requested. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "What! a murderous attack?" "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "I have come for advice." something of him before." "What can it mean?" I gasped. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I knowledge of the world." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel,