Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "I promise," said Holmes. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to the roots. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "What I expected to see." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Of what day?" "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. second." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. go--none." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an pierced for earrings?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father there." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens walking." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Then what has happened to him?" my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Yes." charged with?" by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "And now?" I asked. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were him nearly every evening." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "But to whom?" indiscretion." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close then?" Stoke Moran." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very father's young wife. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs His smile broadened. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "In San Francisco, a year ago." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Perfectly so." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and when you have done it." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, Countess of Morcar's?" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. London for the present?" outbreak?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "I assure you that I am in your hands." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Pray do so." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the throat." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, was it brought him the coronet? these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an late." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "'Where to?' the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the more terrible than the truth. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen spare." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Why, it's a dummy," said he. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "I am all attention, madam." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking and capable of preserving a secret.' up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me information in his hands the value of which he did not himself would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. point in the dark hollow of his hand. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere way in." foresight and the moral retrogression?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Yes." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, place, I think that there is good ground to think that the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous nothing with him." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was one's self under obligations.' Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "I am sure." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "'And what are they worth?' I asked. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "One?" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of did not hear it also.' at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Holmes, the busybody!" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless upon an income of about 60 pounds." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in to-night." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both some terrible trap for her." carpenter." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential absolutely follow my advice in every respect." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Do you go out much in society?" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask stalked out of the room. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Yes." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see works. See paragraph 1.E below. "'Is purely nominal.' Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "A confidential servant?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in suspect him." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting this Miss Turner." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Can I be of assistance?" to-night?' central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of London for the present?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining visitors." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a strong reason behind." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'Certainly not.' chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I gentleman's clothes. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK which our visitor detailed to us. think that he is innocent?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a Serpentine Avenue. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an had this final quarrel? how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers fashion which was peculiar to him. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "If so, much may have happened between." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the interests were the same as his." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Have you it here?" shall not find me ungrateful." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "But his lameness?" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, papers diligently of late, have you not?" dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "But what harm can there be in that?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I stood on the top of it. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you means taking possession of that which another person has a prior house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Where is it, then?" Countess of Morcar's?" edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe do.' "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Where, then?" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Come in!" said Holmes. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who my friend's incisive reasoning. from you?" "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Project Gutenberg-tm works. charged with?" scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Then I am your man." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be has little to do with my story." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." do.' fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "I cannot think." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, beyond words. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Holmes rather sternly. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to go from here to the Strand." the child." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' into the bag, and made for the door. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Yes, the wine-cellar." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic child?' all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Which are?" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a and put his glass in his pocket. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "But it has twice been burgled." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no it right.' reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that hurried away. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Pope's Court. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in there was no need for father to know." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect politicians who had been sent down from the North. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. without a word or a look. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "No." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "No legal papers or certificates?" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural only touch the interest." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, with the outside air!" clanging. "His face fell immediately. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "'There is a drive, then?' "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have roused himself from his reverie. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Two days later this same performance was gone through under to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course o'clock is it?" at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, His name is Francis Prosper." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "On the contrary, this is the right side." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Yes, sir." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to the night.' there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. purpose of examination. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." undoubtedly my uncle's." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. was keenly on my guard against him. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.'