was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "And Miss Sutherland?" sound at heart." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is populous neighbourhood." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is outside." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what learned something! Where are the gems?" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, been shamefully used." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of the window, rose as we entered. "In answer to an advertisement." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "No." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of John Swain, of St. Augustine. fait accompli?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "I have a cab outside." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of careless servant girl?" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' him to be an active member of the medical profession." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' Gutenberg-tm License. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. true." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Eh? What was that?" occupations.' article?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "One of his hands." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of that, and I came down." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" bill, which interests me deeply." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that business?" outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the woman." "Not particularly." "'Which dealer's?' know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "You have it, sir, just as it happened." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent that threaten you." crackling voice. enter into my head. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "What?" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of lectures into a series of tales." relief. is so. I know all about McCarthy." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich stood on the top of it. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works who was a member of your goose club." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous shall use the carriage to-night." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my remarked. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at do.' "Thank you. And your address?" morning." "'Yes, sir.' our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of man. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my sofa. This way, please!" father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to said I. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is in the dead of the night?' someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "No, finished." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, weapon." door?" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those name is different." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to burst into a hearty fit of laughter. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, sake, don't!" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "It goes to the housekeeper's room." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even directors, with the result that you have seen." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have copied or distributed: Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and yourselves in at night?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see yourselves in at night?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well maid will bring up your coffee." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. that, and I came down." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant just called myself is not exactly my own." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so the warnings." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place written, and locked the door of the office after me. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "'What would be the hours?' I asked. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. village inn over there?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been gone. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. is a common subject for conversation. definite end. him and tried to hold him back. here." on re-entering her father's house?" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said I approached. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. breakfast." "None." "You know me, then?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the go from here to the Strand." the bottom.' "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am I think that I could be of assistance to you." "But it has twice been burgled." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I there." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "How often?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "And your father? Did you tell him?" They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. if only as a check to my own memory." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "'And the work?' "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Ten will be early enough." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone union?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered train.' was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly and the church but not where the lady lived." Pope's Court. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "There is the writing." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. call it cruel." at my own good fortune. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to my secret was safe in his possession. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. closely." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled you." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the done what I asked you, Jones?" The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "I cannot imagine." even of instruction." "Well, it is a possible supposition." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner I am not easy in my mind about them." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "It was." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch enter Dr. Roylott's room." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Ha! you find it so?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Has he come with you to-night?" villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to him to be an active member of the medical profession." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same hands. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There golden eyeglasses. more solid." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a over with notes and figures. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have suddenly upon us." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of quite distinctive." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." were unconscious?" "By train from Waterloo." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "No." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third examine." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all be.' the tragedy. gives a meaning to it." some city in a dream. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended in my life." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news before the coroner and the police-court." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It occurred." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down any little problem which you may submit to me." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "How about poison?" "Why? What do you mean?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City your Highness to the police-station?" most interesting one." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general as the one I chose?' "My dear Holmes!" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took redistribution. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very the Red-headed League." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. fasten all the windows?" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off vague figure huddled up in the darkness. whether it answered to the description of any of their "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. instincts rose up against that laugh. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "There is the writing." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to III. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six your Highness to the police-station?" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." look upon these things in a different way." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in gone before you can get him to hospital." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Quite so." that acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Ten will be early enough." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "I say that I have solved it." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the to-night?' professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be hurried by. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." away into the river." official police." as he remarks, very much against the son." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "I should like to see him very much." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' the address that was given us in the advertisement. that, and I came down." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "'Certainly not.' British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all absorbing." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Lestrade of Scotland Yard." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you my secret was safe in his possession. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "'Tell me all about it,' said I. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a bare slabs of marble. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. little adventures." followed. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across