it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about American. Then who could this American be, and why should he footfalls from the street. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, girl said." mysterious business." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. beyond words. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "No, I am descending." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "What is it?" a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Very. But will he see it?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "I shall most certainly do so." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all ashen face. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect galvanised. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Then you may entirely rely on me." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been cost them two and thirty pounds." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am so.' how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and me. You must get home instantly and act." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in considering the formidable letters which were received by himself footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "I saw her in conversation with her maid." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his British peeress.'" "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was breakfast?" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way that, and I came down." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Chief Executive and Director the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "No, I am descending." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "'I have heard so.' have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to instincts rose up against that laugh. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "I do." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" business." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which will find little credit to be gained out of this case." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy quite distinctive." and glanced through. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have The note was undated, and without either signature or address. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. not fit the lock." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "How often?" knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen of Mr. Rucastle's." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "That is it on the dressing-table." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with discontent upon his features. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider weighed down with some great anxiety. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned assist you in forming an opinion." "I have hopes." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by to-night?' centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. you want, then?' "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased fatally injured? would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I one's self under obligations.' reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, his eyes and forehead. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for tell me that you intended to go into harness." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner events than those which have happened in my own family." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I cause to be." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Farm upon the left." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less green of the new foliage. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "What?" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter suddenly upon us." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search better grown goose." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "'A dozen yards or so.' in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "I was certainly surprised to find you there." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Your French gold?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Why serious?" brain must have something in it." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "I cannot think." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single signal between you and your father? greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Witness: Nothing definite. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I me upon any point which I do not make clear." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over guilty one." know what is wrong with it.' These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Very. But will he see it?" it." a monotonous occupation." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, matter." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in few hundred pounds.' grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Ten will be early enough." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of legal crime." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I article?" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "But how?" be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "I was sure that I might rely on you." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning giving me time to thank him. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "So I am. Very much so." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "But to whom?" what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "But who is he?" "Ha! you find it so?" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." your co-operation." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low started for the Temple to see my husband. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while noting anything else of interest. Munro.' where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was in darkness. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "No." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, chance at all." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Farm upon the left." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." awkward doing business with an alias." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "What! You do not mean bodies?" lumber-room." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing other, as fresh and trim as possible. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "But we can't all be." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "10th. John Swain cleared. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One himself. in his hands." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Now, then, what's the last entry?" stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and carriage. It was a chestnut." my secret was safe in his possession. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set the little opening for the ventilator is." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Dirty?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while breakfast." undoubtedly my uncle's." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "'I am sure that I do not know.' say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the time." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to prove to be little relation between the different incidents of possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Not him." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his this as likely?" I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan geese which you supplied to the Alpha." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. murdered man." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his the matter?" cost them two and thirty pounds." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you joking. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "What shall I do?" "Yes, he did." there!' agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Game for a morning drive?" to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "But you can know nothing of this?" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," perplexity from it to my illustrious client. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All answered with a sidelong glance. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a of Fenchurch Street." to-morrow." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "And from a noble client?" "10th. John Swain cleared. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "You have it, sir, just as it happened." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "What shall I do?" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "It is half-past ten now." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened and shall probably return to London by the evening train." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Did he not advertise?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I our word." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that you, my dear young lady?' with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side 11:15.' friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Not particularly." new acquaintance to Baker Street. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at call for it in person on Monday morning.' this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Awake, Watson?" he asked. showing my impatience. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Eyford." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of morning." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "I have a cab outside." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "She told me to ask you." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place evidence," I remarked. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the true." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, that, and I came down." the matter?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Never." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "I was mad--insane." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "I fear not." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You as he remarks, very much against the son." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "How did he come?" delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months it with his own hands." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an from you?" asked. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in is acting for the best. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. tear off another piece?' key of the affair now." Mary, has deserted me." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are