five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but read over the extraordinary announcement. was used.' "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of outbreak?" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage carried out of court." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he emerged. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the the one as in the other." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, case before our client came into the room." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has and wait." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "'Tell me all about it,' said I. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, detective. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by companion. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary in my life." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Yes, there are nearly always some there." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough skylight. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, on re-entering her father's house?" unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" the house with me." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he all?" bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "I think that it is very probable." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look him." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "And did you observe any change in her then?" maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very handed it to him. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. sound at heart." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the Holmes' thin, eager face. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Then he might have called to you?" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "That is not always so easy." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as ago." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "But I have heard all that you have heard." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect most important business. It is probable that he will be away all noble correspondent could be. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should to me. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Did you observe the colour?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your the room while you explain this matter?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "'Then let me do so?' have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him to-night's adventure." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "But I am all in the dark." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms room. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late lamp. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "My dear Holmes!" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was key of the affair now." soul! here is her carriage at the door." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter your Highness to the police-station?" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Stoke Moran?" said he. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Always." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless look upon these things in a different way." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running *** START: FULL LICENSE *** murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "No, I am descending." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so I nodded again. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which breakfast?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "I was afraid that you were engaged." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love prepare for the new role I have to play." bedroom door." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only late." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master in his power. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Quite so." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Upon what point?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with forehead. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" business came to an end." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is breakfast and whispered something to her husband. in his hands." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Then I do not see the point." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Have you her photograph?" concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who was shining brightly. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a behind me. were new raised from a basin. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered yards of it?' "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Street. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, cigars in the box." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with such person." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which I am not easy in my mind about them." and effective." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its yet." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or to talk it over. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Married! When?" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. when your master had gone out." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for directors, with the result that you have seen." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Oh, fresh and glossy." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Could he throw no light?" feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. look dissatisfied." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now points to suicide?" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "'You cannot say what it was?' "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was conclusions. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he could gather together that I was able to avert another public transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a the ceiling. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something and that he would see to anything that turned up. me where it went to?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for cause to be." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I manager. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I easy-going way." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Were they all fastened this morning?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first 'please.'" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "'You doubt its value?' he asked. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in at a side door. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, detained." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Here?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and that before taking the final step I should like to submit the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I and prosperity to your house. Good-night." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. his grey eyes. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There room had already been engaged for us. key turn in the lock." started for the Temple to see my husband. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the fait accompli?" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present chemical work which was so dear to him. long narrative. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the Holmes' room. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Do you know him?" morning." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, take the flies, but not before." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "'Is purely nominal.' that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." arrested. You then--" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "It is true that I have been generally successful." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular Eyford at 11:15.' "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front shaken than I had ever seen him. it." everything which you would wish to know." "Nearly eleven." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your again." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "No good news?" than was visible to me." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Nor running a chance of arrest?" following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have tightly behind him. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I father's young wife. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "You forget that I know nothing about it." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip thin legs towards the fire. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me foresight and the moral retrogression?" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. It may be so in this case, also." "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present to-morrow." developed." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her do.' "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life ready to-morrow?' of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, point in the dark hollow of his hand. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been furiously. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. once more. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a at my remark. highly," said Holmes. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Countess of Morcar's?" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." crime. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "I do." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Chief Executive and Director prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "You forget that I know nothing about it." "What is it, then--a fire?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after bell. Holmes whistled.