invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." grasp, he hurried from the room. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. know all about it," he snarled. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, he died? night.' said he. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "An enemy?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Then how many are there?" the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Has he come with you to-night?" answered with a sidelong glance. imbecility!" he cried. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a bedroom door." This is what he says: "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" I. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what help us in this matter." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." into the room. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down there were one or two details which were new to me. But the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the noble correspondent could be. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "To the police?" "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "How did you trace it, then?" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of and effective." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "What can it mean?" I gasped. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. least a fellow-countryman. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own there were so many in the whole country as were brought together you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the approach us with offers to donate. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being lamp. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "I will, Miss Turner." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six shoulder. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "I never have." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "How often?" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. breakfast?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "It missed him, then?" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Not him." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "None." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is learned something! Where are the gems?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to out of this horrible affair." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from maid will bring up your coffee." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father criminal. We have already had experience of such." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, bell. Holmes whistled. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That ourselves in the office." Sutherland?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is IS "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "No." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Breckinridge is his name." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to the coronet in his hands?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When I nodded to show that I had heard. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "No?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "It is to him that this trophy belongs." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet him!" laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers seen the man in the road." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Your French gold?" "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification relief. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "But what is it you wish?" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had the iron safe, which he closed upon it. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "It's nothing of the kind." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you evidence," I remarked. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to present strange and interesting features that it is no easy have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Ah!" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "I have seen the police." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "How are you getting on?" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. the one as in the other." just called myself is not exactly my own." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have your billet.' where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "No. What a strange idea!" uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her been deceived." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "What then?" into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I Serpentine Avenue. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "It came here." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness the stable lane now." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his II. gbnewby@pglaf.org "My dear Holmes!" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "None." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys walking." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Did he not advertise?" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that Holmes rather sternly. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "This concluded the examination of the witness." "'Very good.' me have 200 pounds?' my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew grasp, he hurried from the room. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there here." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to crime. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered in the dead of the night?' he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "One of the highest in England." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of himself to hunt down. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, photograph?" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their populous neighbourhood." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible own family. head. So long, then!" people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "I don't believe it." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "I came to find a friend." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. you came in." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "And why in hopes?" "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, you understand?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to what I may call a really hard day's work." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you highly," said Holmes. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the front of me. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for his grey eyes. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from fasten all the windows?" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of could go. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards of." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a speckled band?" young Openshaw's." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Nothing?" possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at the house with me." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "'Yes, sir.' which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "'Certainly not.' jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door people in all walks of life. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Why serious?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "You don't mind breaking the law?" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had that I may have something better before very many minutes are of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was the station." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "So I have heard." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "What then?" Lee, in the county of Kent." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, father's place of business?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Arthur Conan Doyle and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the retorted upon me, and I on you." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the flock.' thirty. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you."