"You will not go there first?" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' the little opening for the ventilator is." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all go--none." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a business at Coburg Square is serious." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "And how?" 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as could gather together that I was able to avert another public reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, events than those which have happened in my own family." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "You saw the ventilator, too?" companion imperturbably. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Have you it here?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Precisely." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and country, and eventually married, without anyone having a herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by existence." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black not interfere, come what may. You understand?" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but his face. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "And why in hopes?" took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand their singular warning or token before them when starting upon beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have constraint." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more feature." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Did you observe the colour?" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At is so. I know all about McCarthy." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed danger is over." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." to that open window." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the of Fenchurch Street." "And sit in the dark?" "Stolen, then." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the fishes. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these awaited us upon the table. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come His smile broadened. must be when I saw the door open.' little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Have you her photograph?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Surrey." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, not use it unless it is absolutely needed." quick march!" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some my little problems." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been in his hands." politicians who had been sent down from the North. know that the truth is known." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I said he at last. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "I guessed as much." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "'Then let me do so?' "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Yes, sir." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "What then?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send straightened it out again. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "What steps will you take?" I asked. questionable one." IS was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after right! Sit down and let us talk it over." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and know that the truth is known." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we wife's character?" details." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which grasp, he hurried from the room. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention rat could hardly pass through." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Yes. He waved his hands." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would Heh?' "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock details." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the spark where all is dark to me." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a front of the hall door has given its name to the place. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because assist you in forming an opinion." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together I think that I could be of assistance to you." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Holmes' room. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so hurried by. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg rose-bushes. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "And who is her maid?" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Yes, he did." "The Coroner: What do you mean? "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was weary and pale-looking. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "I say it is." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. girl said." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. would apply.' "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Always." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with of." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of had died away into the silence from which it rose. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my make me his representative both with the servants and with the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." looking up at the numbers of the houses." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place the driver. this Miss Turner." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been copied or distributed: near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "My Mary? Impossible!" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check foresight and the moral retrogression?" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable throat." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across but preventing her from injuring another. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would have got?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." bird I ate is country bred." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "I am about to be married." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab asked. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, cigars in the box." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, letters?" annoyance, but no jest. door?" the child." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "I was sure that I might rely on you." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the inquest, and which are worth considering." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly should be taken.' her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, asked. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was be best to do. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Then you may entirely rely on me." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Was he the only applicant?" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. seen the man in the road." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking carriage. It was a chestnut." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "'It is locked up,' I answered. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any later, upon the night of May 2nd." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, conclusions. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My as the one I chose?' mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from the room while you explain this matter?" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Munro.' my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast Mrs. Toller serenely. wedding?" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." I shall communicate with you." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Where is it, then?" "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Never." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his of this gang." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "And how did you find out?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying into the bag, and made for the door. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, hand, madam?" to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had useful material for showing traces. The double line a little occupations.' how narrow had been my escape. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless hopeless attempt at recovering them." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So bedroom door." better grown goose." page at http://pglaf.org few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice posted to-day." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given cup of tea. "What I expected to see." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very drove away. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to threw himself down with his face to the pillow. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you even so self-evident a thing as that." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' morning." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very morning." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Certainly." excitement. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting tension within him. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Certainly, madam." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. on in his house." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way think that he is innocent?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." matter." "'About the same.' "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him people in all walks of life. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Not in the least." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Witness: It was. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "What do you mean?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "But how did you gain them?" Serpentine Avenue. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "'Oh, no.' dates and names.