Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "So I have heard." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and could go. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, mysterious end." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the John Swain, of St. Augustine. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "A greater distance to travel." footfalls from the street. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Holmes' thin, eager face. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very coat-tails." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "What do you mean?" While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, putting in the horse. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Where, indeed?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his touch that coronet?' had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. of it with the greatest attention. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "An enemy?" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, records." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," For additional contact information: and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "But the mystery?" "I say it is." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that power." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a shoulder. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had formed some opinion?" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "A confidential servant?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive http://www.gutenberg.net child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he may have an influence upon European history." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "The best possible." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria chemical work which was so dear to him. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "'Tell me all about it,' said I. he bowed and left the room without another word. "A confidential servant?" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. detained." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "My dear Holmes!" both be extremely obliged.' his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "No legal papers or certificates?" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a get her out of the way." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have me where it went to?" "You horrify me." "But who is he?" cigar and let me expound." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in heavily into it. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had spare." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "You know me, then?" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "What steps will you take?" I asked. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' the coronet in his hands?" room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the you for a few hours?" "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 will he say when he returns?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "No, I am descending." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully already been minutely examined." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to your billet.' routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "What I expected to see." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to will take you up to see the machine.' gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not crowd. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, row." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three head. So long, then!" saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Very well, sir. And this stone?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of before, for it was considerably after midnight. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" question you as to those details which seem to me to be most coroner's jury." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which you in yours." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one stepfather?" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air nonsense.' gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the easy-going way." and looked back. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "He slept on the premises." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "'I shall certainly be there.' "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "They are typewritten," I remarked. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." the dangers which encompass me." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for again before evening." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Mary, has deserted me." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it during which he might have communicated with his friend the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and was feeling which was the fattest.' would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the interested in these little problems, and since you are good have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and absolutely follow my advice in every respect." against a man in the prime of life?" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." ago." which our visitor detailed to us. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so could gather together that I was able to avert another public "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after the Assizes." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the notes," he said. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "It goes to the housekeeper's room." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "And is that all?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "No." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "And you can do nothing until then?" relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when particular state visit http://pglaf.org this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Arthur Conan Doyle "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Yes." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you detective. Sutherland. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close a very grave face. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "But we can't all be." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "What then?" Holmes' face clouded over. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "'Is 4 pounds a week.' adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it hurried away. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "I cannot tell." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found better grown goose." could not have written that. It is the German who is so Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Was your sister dressed?" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to Sutherland. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Only as much as we can deduce." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet flock.' "Very truly yours, "Why? What do you mean?" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. the so-precious time, but come!' "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. married her." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the shoulder; "he's all right." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional was used.' urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to to a more successful conclusion." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George had a long day." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" read it out to me." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Nor running a chance of arrest?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' sufficient punishment." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be Pope's Court, Fleet Street." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "'Ten to two.' mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend Holmes' thin, eager face. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too look upon these things in a different way." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, to where he stood hid behind the curtain. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, once more for Briony Lodge. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, little adventures." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, annoyance, but no jest. "I shall be delighted." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "One of the highest in England." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one following enigmatical notices: strode off upon his way. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used test if we have an answer to our advertisement." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my do." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "To the police?" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with secret." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. too. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "No." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see me, and I could not think that his explanation of the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons this remarkable episode. "Precisely." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a what is your own theory as to what took place?" the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking remarked. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to of the way of danger. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' floor. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to was a loud and authoritative tap. "About a month then." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate your own bird, so if you wish--" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth,