august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "It certainly sounds feasible." "Stolen." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Not social, then?" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing room. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to indeed happy." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Won't it ring?" have established a very serious case against the son of the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I fled together." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. official police." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in window when the police appeared." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her all?" near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "None." "He might." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "'Certainly not. But why?' desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "No. His orders were to stay in the house." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Why? What do you mean?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight hands. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Will you bet, then?" down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and Eyford at 11:15.' very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible entirely lost his self-respect." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "'A dozen yards or so.' fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Will you bet, then?" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. way in everything. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of been with you?" gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I gbnewby@pglaf.org robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate several quiet little villages up there." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through union?" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "By no means." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "I think that I had better go, Holmes." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. front of me. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no of this gang." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Very truly yours, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "There is the writing." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, populous neighbourhood." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly advice." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "It's nothing of the kind." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know against a man in the prime of life?" Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a soul! here is her carriage at the door." washing it down with a long draught of water. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and hair?' disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the devil!" down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't do.' "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door children over to America with him, so that I found myself without their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client garden below. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from in the hope of finding them." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. must be when I saw the door open.' rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed emerged. you, my dear young lady?' who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "How do you know, then?" bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from your troubles." "'I am sure that I do not know.' very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of me where it went to?" "But of what society?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my the south-west, I see." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have cigars in the box." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between charge against him will break down." Chief Executive and Director It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I conversation I have gathered that they have been married about look dissatisfied." sneer upon his pale face. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such signal between you and your father? "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Here?" "But how?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "I say that I have solved it." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "I assure you that I am in your hands." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Quite so. She has her freedom." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, papers on the sundial.'" has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' that I am arrested." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "'Never,' said I. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "No, thank goodness, she did not." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "And you can do nothing until then?" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was footfalls from the street. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "I fear not." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped less than 26s. 4d. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "I promise," said Holmes. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." anything to do with the matter?" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with business matters.' "I have seen the police." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, at once, for I have only half an hour." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "No bad?" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water are, and they are waiting for us." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, the ceiling. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar questioning and rather startled gaze. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as strength." "Absolutely none." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "I never have." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "And for present expenses?" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Pray let us have it, for all that." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Was he the only applicant?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and should be taken.' hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day I shall continue with my miserable story. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Yes." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop nothing with him." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the roused himself from his reverie. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a begun to whiten, even as mine has." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from did not hear it also.' I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Literary Archive Foundation call you and give you the chance." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society morning." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. reach." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "No." photograph?" in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our swore that no one else had been in the front room during the were unconscious?" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I were unconscious?" The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Why serious?" old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I been anything against him. He had for years been known as a gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which outbreak?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in to tell." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the tear off another piece?' not as remarkable as your advertisement." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "I don't believe it." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and fluttered off among the others. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for troubles have been weighing upon his mind. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Holmes, the busybody!" that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it intimate personal affairs in this public manner." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of the station." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Oh, fresh and glossy." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Stolen." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "So I am. Very much so." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Yes." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a few hundred pounds.' he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself gone. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced away in different directions, and I went off to make my own quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without felt?" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "I am armed." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "One of his hands." "No, I am descending." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." that?' "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Stoke Moran." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." where she found matters as described by the last witness. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Yes." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and outbreak?" mystery may be cleared along those lines." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees read over the extraordinary announcement. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and you." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his questioning and rather startled gaze. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Then the page we have seen--" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My