heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. light and attacked it." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Mary, has deserted me." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her them present such singular features as the strange train of gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and leave you to your papers for a little." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be shaken than I had ever seen him. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "You have compromised yourself seriously." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official giving me time to thank him. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was arrangements." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Why serious?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be generous with you in money matters.' "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting horse could go." "Pray do so." have got?" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a down. of it with the greatest attention. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." murdered man." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. and a shock of very red hair. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "'Ample.' "'Oh, no.' heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "What, then, did Peterson do?" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. I took the paper from him and read as follows: overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Entirely." his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears The note was undated, and without either signature or address. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this bare slabs of marble. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear envelope. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the gigantic client. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias might help us?" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried the salesman. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the third from London." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates tell them apart.' Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere time." of the way of danger. "Did he not advertise?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but lamp in his hand. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Yes." "But your client--" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a to a light-house. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "'Never,' said I. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You things are very often connected not with the larger but with the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a test if we have an answer to our advertisement." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Did you observe the colour?" "'Then let me do so?' brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all relief. that there was nothing in it, after all." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting think that he is innocent?" considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not answered with a sidelong glance. green of the new foliage. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking The note was undated, and without either signature or address. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it coroner's jury." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my photograph?" along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's whereabouts. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." congenial hunt. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but you." "Deserted you?" look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. highly," said Holmes. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "What! You do not mean bodies?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men hour?' nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Heh?' he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study business." "Were they all fastened this morning?" someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg bachelor.' "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "No, I had a dozen." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "It must be recovered." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Who was the criminal, then?" but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these you." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Just look it up, then." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see later, upon the night of May 2nd." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he telegram would bring me down to your help." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "'Quite sure, dad.' reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the be sorry for having acted so harshly." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I over part of the map. "What do you read?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Holmes' face clouded over. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "It is half-past ten now." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "The Cedars?" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a again, where I was soon asleep. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Yes, only one." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the call the police, let the police find what they can.' "My photograph." electronic works street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project tell them apart.' admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I for the market.' Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as better grown goose." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which written, and locked the door of the office after me. woman." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself here and I will read it to you: in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to ready to-morrow?' "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" most interesting one." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this foot. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "They are typewritten," I remarked. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in What do you deduce from it?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "She will not sell." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Why did you beat the pavement?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Not him." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do was keenly on my guard against him. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The views." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story drove away. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should overpowering excitement and concern. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There certainly not very gracious." at my own good fortune. late!' "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Where does the thing come from?' where Mr. Fordham shows you.' to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." I was concerned in it." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, recover the gem." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Never." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles any little problem which you may submit to me." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then colour had been driven from his face. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them at home. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him key turn in the lock." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "By all means." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "'I have heard so.' will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness the night.' cigar and let me expound." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two outbreak?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "We must sit without light. He would see it through the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "By no means." you." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I on in his house." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really constraint." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The night.' said he. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of investigation." looking up at the numbers of the houses." jewels which you have stolen?' gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." becomes even more simple." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over client, rising. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "And that is--" And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a results." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined such attractions and accomplishments?' face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been tied." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. His name is Francis Prosper." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "You have carte blanche." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "A greater distance to travel." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I six. Come in!" "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no to-night?' despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "What is it?" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and remarked. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with