"Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they suggested at once that there must be a communication between the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had him!" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "'And the work?' down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. galvanised. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now client, rising. flock.' carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Come in!" said he. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he window when the police appeared." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic highroad, where all traces were lost. was a perfect sample of the class. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. of your young ladies.' has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee to talk it over. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, never will be, entirely cleared up. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There recall any case within my experience which looked at the first Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect the inner apartment." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so to-night's adventure." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the she used." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "My dear Holmes!" screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place His name is Francis Prosper." "That also I could fathom." "Then I shall certainly come." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "But how will you look?" even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they carriage. It was a chestnut." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. he. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying fashion which was peculiar to him. ashen face. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes at my remark. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's front of me. wedding?" papers." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a was a loud and authoritative tap. lamp. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him will he say when he returns?" points to suicide?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be been shamefully used." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project John Swain, of St. Augustine. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' retorted upon me, and I on you." "I beg pardon." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I she used." be. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these You can understand that this register and diary may implicate was a lad." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Her father is very rich?" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had electronic works slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my character. acted in my house last night?" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Who by?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely to arrive at through this?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag round and wave him away like that.' stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "So it appears." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which the roots. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "What, then?" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "That you are never beaten." knowledge of the world." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Could he throw no light?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect miles off. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one and have this put in the evening papers." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Is he quiet?" strength." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for burst into a hearty fit of laughter. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "No." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "And the murderer?" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "'Yes, it was gone.' outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from redistribution. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, tension within him. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, over with notes and figures. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he the south-west, I see." "And Miss Sutherland?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of brandy and water within his reach. companion. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You would then never go into court at all." exactly what you advise." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in have one." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Just look it up, then." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were distance from the station, and there we found the young lady more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Then, how do you know?" opened the door, and slipped through. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "To the police?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Of what?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless suddenly upon us." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where the one as in the other." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a http://www.gutenberg.net myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself shall not find me ungrateful." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Miss Holder?" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Have you good authority for what you say?" consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "And for present expenses?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. approach us with offers to donate. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. thirty. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Holmes." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and asked. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "'Not at all. I only doubt--' between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "But to whom?" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Why, what do you mean?" Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There fire. You quite follow me?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. I shall communicate with you." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Just look it up, then." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked it with his own hands." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The business in the City. She little knew what. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. girl said." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "But how will you look?" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with wall." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he one of them." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut happened." upon an income of about 60 pounds." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his some water from a caraffe. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. interested in these little problems, and since you are good refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "It missed him, then?" to arrive at through this?" every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall and I shall be with you presently." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different fait accompli?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the the warnings." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "He is still with you, I presume?" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Then you may entirely rely on me." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "I shall be delighted." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every note?" papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that paper in the air. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "What have you done?" asked Holmes. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man just ask you whether you had heard it.' one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a place no limit on the sum I may draw." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "And the cigar-holder?" been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and might help us?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by forebodings. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, his huge brown hands. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "But you can know nothing of this?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk with her." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Do you receive much company?" he asked. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the particular state visit http://pglaf.org His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? little adventures." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were any more." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." Arthur Conan Doyle evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to the coronet in his hands?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had that I may have something better before very many minutes are already been minutely examined." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last success. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the unclasping of his long thin hands. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me breakfast." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without