even of instruction." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." place no limit on the sum I may draw." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, national property. I was determined that the law should have its "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a his cane at the bell-pull. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Yes, certainly." him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Will you go?" at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable to a light-house. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he your troubles." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "And you don't know his address?" surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the into the room. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" sake, don't!" "Was there a secret marriage?" Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and lamp. companion quietly. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. behind me. "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was States. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest the very letters. But what is this written above them?' considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." interest. They are important, you understand, without being the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower of it with the greatest attention. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself been with you?" if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "'There is a drive, then?' enough to aid us in our search." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Holmes' room. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away skylight. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a so.' affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to chill to my heart. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "My photograph." even so self-evident a thing as that." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of strength in the others." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing the matter." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three IS sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Never." "Yes, he did." clanging. "The Coroner: What do you mean? enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "And now?" I asked. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting speckled band?" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe prisoner's face. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other developed." eat it." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Game for a morning drive?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a to affect your life." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "I beg pardon." Holmes. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in past. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "That sounds a little paradoxical." foresight and the moral retrogression?" there when the Rucastles went away." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few ceremony." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect read it out to me." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in excitement. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "I am armed." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I your room." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I sufficient punishment." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Frequently." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "You will not go there first?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort with frightened eyes at his accuser. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" call you and give you the chance." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, get the tickets." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "How do you know, then?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, was shining brightly. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "It is possible." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a triumphant cloud from his cigarette. remarked. hard-headed British jury." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another society." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug had a long day." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "10th. John Swain cleared. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love in the hope of finding them." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. have one." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Your sister is dead, then?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your as the one I chose?' "Yes, at the mines." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a simple cases which are so extremely difficult." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account that you wished to speak to me?' be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some directly by questioning you." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a despair." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious strong reason behind." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "And how?" society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My meant." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Now, then, what's the last entry?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to at my own good fortune. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his extraordinary contortions. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining to-night?' however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the woman." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "'Then let me do so?' staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, the stones. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the highroad, where all traces were lost. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each breakfast." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Could he throw no light?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Yesterday." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of hardly wander." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "One of the highest in England." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "I see no marks." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" out of this horrible affair." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had forehead. my former friend and companion. during that time.' conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't your equipment. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." letters?" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Not him." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see may never be exposed to such a temptation." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! someone who had been in Australia." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the the room while you explain this matter?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: ready to-morrow?' "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "And how did you verify them?" "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position delirious. charge against him will break down." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "In answer to an advertisement." "I never have." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the me have 200 pounds?' at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off daring than any effort of the imagination." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "When did it break out?" creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" province." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "I was afraid that you were engaged." know what is wrong with it.' "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Upon what point?" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'Certainly,' I answered. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "'Is 4 pounds a week.' fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, three of the beryls in it, was missing. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the read it out to me." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, cigars in the box." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on have got?" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of and all of them with the keenest interest. article?" effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a direction." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Seven!" I answered. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the against a man in the prime of life?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "That is unusual in a young girl." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "She walked into the breakfast-room." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally out." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "If so, much may have happened between." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "But his left-handedness." green of the new foliage. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "I was certainly surprised to find you there." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed the date of his supposed suicide." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause salesman. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about public press." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her acquaintance?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman Clair, of Lee." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Yes, I have one waiting." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the