brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed foresight and the moral retrogression?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, instituted." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You leaning back in his chair. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "By train from Waterloo." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and heavy and sharp instrument." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who together. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. he. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son The events in question occurred in the early days of my arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an there were so many in the whole country as were brought together have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Heh?' ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock strode off upon his way. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Yes." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way room had already been engaged for us. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no crime." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have room?" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a not personally threatened." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been said I. here and I will read it to you: I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King handed it to him. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "By no means." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in leave you to your papers for a little." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be Street. I nodded to show that I had heard. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is as yours." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, points to suicide?" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut delirious. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and next day. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "You were travelling in the States?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled been able to understand it, in a very few words. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "In heaven's name, what for?" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "'Yes, I promise.' "What can you not understand?" "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who in one or two places in England?' 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" more solid." "I promise," said Holmes. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "'About the same.' flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "By all means." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "You think that he is dead?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have power." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly and it need not interfere very much with one's other and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "No, but the enclosure is." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is of campaign. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off used to be." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Then I shall certainly come." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an you?' "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life will take you up to see the machine.' "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the him and tried to hold him back. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of the south-west, I see." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" might have a private word with us. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." hour." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir of the way of danger. "What steps will you take?" I asked. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "In San Francisco, a year ago." opportunities to fix the problem. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "What can it mean?" I gasped. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "And I say east," said my patient. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a cigar and let me expound." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to could gather together that I was able to avert another public Edgeware Road. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Serpentine Avenue. her also." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the so far?" consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, is acting for the best. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which purpose of examination. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and made his money." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "I beg pardon." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Seven!" I answered. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "9th. McCauley cleared. papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged happened." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced of the way of danger. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this even so self-evident a thing as that." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as way in everything. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Well, some hundreds of times." "But she could not love him." "Where, indeed?" Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of some water from a caraffe. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Perhaps I have." Chief Executive and Director statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what hard-headed British jury." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside to a light-house. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for intrusion of other matters." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "What I expected to see." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "I was mad--insane." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let to a more successful conclusion." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these business matters.' extraordinary contortions. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you you?" test if we have an answer to our advertisement." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Ah!" law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his him nearly every evening." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, works. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Ample." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "'Stolen!' he cried. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Project Gutenberg-tm works. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had to some other building. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both appointment with me for six o'clock?" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a sooner or later she must fall a victim. mystery!" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his had died away into the silence from which it rose. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where one else, I think." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Then I do not see the point." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read the little opening for the ventilator is." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Seven!" I answered. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "So I heard. You have him here?" writing, and yet I know it well." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young to talk it over. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to meant it for the best. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence very old mansion. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "But you would not advise me to refuse?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy know all about it," he snarled. carried out of court." "I don't say that. Perhaps." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "The knees of his trousers." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the foot. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Could he throw no light?" "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he drove away. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "'And what are they worth?' I asked. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it colonel looking down at me. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "'I am sure that I do not know.' "But how will you look?" Pool. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that galvanised. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for the one as in the other." out." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "But his left-handedness." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father disturbance in my wife." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "What, then, did Peterson do?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who started for the Temple to see my husband. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must was not a bird to be seen there. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "When did she vanish, then?" be.' great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" highly," said Holmes. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "An enemy?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "'And what salary do you ask?' him to go away.' burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after and have this put in the evening papers." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. off." presume?" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Witness: Nothing definite. results." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to