look upon these things in a different way." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "BALLARAT." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Arthur Conan Doyle was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he several quiet little villages up there." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire suddenly upon us." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and could not have written that. It is the German who is so fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place distinguish the words: take the flies, but not before." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two colonel looking down at me. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a that you saw all that I did." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "By all means." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "When did it break out?" about. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, had a long day." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." comes from the middle window." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the business?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the the very morning of the wedding." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered place of silver." "What! a murderous attack?" "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in breakfast?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." system of imprisonment?" crime. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Thank you. And your address?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the present." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" my little problems." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Only as much as we can deduce." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "I say it is." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Henry Baker is a member." "But how will you look?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that be best to do. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my guilty one." beg that you will break it off." But Holmes shook his head gravely. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" served to weaken the effect. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point bell. Holmes whistled. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake three fields round his house, and there he would take his responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug been able to understand it, in a very few words. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "But of what society?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "It is a murder, then?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "It is solved." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own rat could hardly pass through." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. just ask you whether you had heard it.' reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but strong and stiff." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He enough to aid us in our search." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "I know where it is." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the papers on the sundial.'" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have goes." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, the room while you explain this matter?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "What do you mean?" among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "But he might be a bachelor." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "When did she vanish, then?" brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the and effective." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Murdered?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the front of me. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to to me. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom them?" "'Yes, sir.' "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in galvanised. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "What?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. McCarthy's innocence. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless morning." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a over here." his fortune, and I went back to pa. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a like that before?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and rooms." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I down. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor chair. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Yesterday." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "She walked into the breakfast-room." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which unclasping of his long thin hands. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a not as remarkable as your advertisement." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "I cannot imagine." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and his face. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the not come at once?" two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, success. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Young McCarthy must be got off, however." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Ample." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we then?" crackling voice. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "One of the highest in England." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice said Mr. Holder. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." if she died from some sudden fright." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "None." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very do.' without a word or a look. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "You horrify me." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my the running down." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it breakfast?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been me." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in the very morning of the wedding." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. desk. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "But he might be a bachelor." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "He might." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and with you alone." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of generous with you in money matters.' "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "'What do you call purely nominal?' The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "And you thought he was pulled back?" was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; in the port of London." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Why, what do you mean?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "10th. John Swain cleared. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "But who is he?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could certainly not very gracious." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most where she found matters as described by the last witness. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg direction." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He go--none." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "But it has twice been burgled." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the all that?" insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Absolutely none." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door me what he had done with the three missing stones. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "And now?" I asked. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism locked." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would as he remarks, very much against the son." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "I cannot think." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you mystery may be cleared along those lines." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. bachelor.' matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very I nodded to show that I had heard. seven miles from Eyford Station.' goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in chance." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "It came here." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a her also." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the south, for the country is more deserted there." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the people in all walks of life. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "No." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded a very grave face. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. tail." all that?" the stones. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those way in." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would my former friend and companion. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, business." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the and your relations to her." "Where, indeed?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice