breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and the colonel ushered me in. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, the tragedy. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "You saw the ventilator, too?" "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Did you observe the colour?" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused standing smiling on the door-step. "Do you know him?" vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Yes." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some floor. "Yes." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. Munro.' puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Very well, sir. And this stone?" dear old homesteads?" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "I see no marks." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and a monotonous occupation." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people again, where I was soon asleep. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would photograph a cabinet?" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Your presence might be invaluable." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "But you have hopes?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it bearing upon the case." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "And what did you learn from him?" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with again." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I shaken than I had ever seen him. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend flock.' do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and late!' "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the matter?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the with you alone." may never be exposed to such a temptation." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt are windows in it, of course?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Frequently." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." your bag." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a made him keep the appointment." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there to where he stood hid behind the curtain. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a prepare for the new role I have to play." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and chill to my heart. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which giving me time to thank him. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the the side-table." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "No good news?" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "'Stolen!' he cried. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have the salesman. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy views." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "What?" returned to France?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope friend's singular character. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of look upon these things in a different way." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Never." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we giving me time to thank him. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his good-night and bustled off upon her way. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "I will get her to show me." "You think so, too?" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always bedroom door." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that IS premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "My opinion is in no way altered." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the laugh and put his lips to my ear. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Who was the criminal, then?" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "And now?" I asked. "Then, how do you know?" Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after narrative." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man advice." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and of." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." you want, then?' help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a best detective that ever lived. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "I was mad--insane." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and bell. Holmes whistled. gone. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And was once confined in the cab my mission was practically that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "I will not look." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "And that is--" shoulder; "he's all right." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "But your client--" "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' subject to the trademark license, especially commercial fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "But it has twice been burgled." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send have accepted such a situation. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught been." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself the coronet in his hand?" compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Where, indeed?" "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that then?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and case-book, which he consulted. cost them two and thirty pounds." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall daring than any effort of the imagination." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Not particularly." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, girl said." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed written. outbreak?" stood on the top of it. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a business in the City. She little knew what. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I go back?" "Where is it, then?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "The rest you will leave in our hands." "No, but the enclosure is." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Certainly." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door your equipment. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography frequently gained my first real insight into the character of dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella you in your example." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Henry Baker is a member." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded geese which you supplied to the Alpha." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the here." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His eavesdroppers?' whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I this truth that in these little records of our cases which you jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Do you go out much in society?" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, with frightened eyes at his accuser. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, friend's singular character. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. my secret was safe in his possession. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, trying to your nerves." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "You don't mind breaking the law?" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, redistribution. http://www.gutenberg.net for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Chief Executive and Director liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." some terrible trap for her." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." woven round him. handed it to him. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless nice household for a young lady." there!' Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you me upon any point which I do not make clear." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to before, for it was considerably after midnight. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able details." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Who by?" retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell that "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "What, then, did Peterson do?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" how narrow had been my escape. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "And Miss Sutherland?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to lost nothing by them." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the undoubtedly my uncle's." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no your billet.' for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It his forehead." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "I will not look." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "I would pay ten." "Yes, from Horsham." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in astonishment. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Was she in good spirits?" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Very. But will he see it?" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' was already answered. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of look upon these things in a different way." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." strode off upon his way. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made tightly behind him. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies more terrible than the truth. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Nor running a chance of arrest?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "No." "What! a murderous attack?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he hopeless attempt at recovering them." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet dead, shall be safe with us." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. rose-bushes. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Have you her photograph?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his