posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to observed. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "What shall I do?" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in most interesting one." during which he might have communicated with his friend the attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police of them has the shutters up.' death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it my secret was safe in his possession. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, three of the beryls in it, was missing. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. locked." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "It is half-past ten now." way in everything. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, coat-tails." the roots. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "How are you getting on?" "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've occurred." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time what I may call a really hard day's work." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "One of the highest in England." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on made his money." "Yes, at the mines." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with more solid." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had union?" an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier anything to do with the matter?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two good for you to do.' "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. or in danger--" "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered here and I will read it to you: no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the warnings." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to not personally threatened." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, relation between them, and what the object of his repeated has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "And your mother is alive?" both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I really the only notable feature about the thing." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "I do." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and there were one or two details which were new to me. But the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "But who is he?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that come either from the window or the door. My attention was a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the asked. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "I don't believe it." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "And it is--" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, trifles." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "There are none." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect lamp. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for mystery!" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small arrested. You then--" the coronet at all injured?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "It came here." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something green of the new foliage. British peeress.'" tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was events, Mr. Windibank!" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "I should like to see him very much." away into the river." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "I am following you closely," I answered. "You did not overhear what they said?" more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, second window is the one that I jumped from." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt out." article?" the loss of it. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "My own seal." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "And help." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to kind enough to tell me what I should do." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "And your mother is alive?" that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as lost nothing by them." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be placed his cuttings. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Not yet." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the brain must have something in it." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Count Von Kramm." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before few hundred pounds.' plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Yes." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "The vanishing of the lady." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "How did you deduce the select?" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. you?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with go from here to the Strand." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "I should wish to." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Here?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "It's nothing of the kind." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little round and wave him away like that.' advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call have an American origin." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "'You doubt its value?' he asked. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I gone. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, whereabouts. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "'Yes, it was gone.' in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what and that he would see to anything that turned up. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "In which, sir?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it whereabouts. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "'What do you call purely nominal?' had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had round and wave him away like that.' suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Nothing." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. orange pips. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When acted in my house last night?" "You horrify me." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived may have an influence upon European history." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in fish-monger and a tide-waiter." wedding?" from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "And what did you see?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' amused." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was think, you have already met." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed questionable one." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. affection." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to and a shock of very red hair. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Ten will be early enough." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "I will do it." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I acted in my house last night?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "What is it?" and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally she slowly sank and died without having recovered her fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would she to prove their authenticity?" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there used to be." "Look there!" said he. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. without a word or a look. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive morning." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw and put his glass in his pocket. reach." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not them present such singular features as the strange train of more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "It is solved." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, the King without delay." will take you up to see the machine.' "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Munro.' then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Precisely." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Sutherland. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "It certainly sounds feasible." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows of note-paper. It read in this fashion: the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send to a more successful conclusion." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "And how did you verify them?" His name is Francis Prosper." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a My friend smiled. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. as the one I chose?' woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria it." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Has he come with you to-night?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a photograph?" "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "You heard nothing yourself last night?" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a