"What will you say?" steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Whose house is it?" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little prepare for the new role I have to play." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the one's self under obligations.' the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Yes, it was twisted." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" hurried away. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he one or two very singular points about this room. For example, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "And leave your case unfinished?" to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Just look it up, then." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders public press." his fortune, and I went back to pa. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural good for you to do.' compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Yes." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "How many? I don't know." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "'Certainly not.' possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the to tell." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. think that any burglar could have done. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable from you?" if I call to-morrow?" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that a little more before I quite committed myself. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the narrative." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim plantation.' to a light-house. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from I think that I could be of assistance to you." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow the stable lane now." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice washing it down with a long draught of water. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "My opinion is in no way altered." and that he would see to anything that turned up. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me drawing your inferences." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give ourselves in the office." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," For additional contact information: confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has know all about it," he snarled. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal everything which you would wish to know." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "To an end?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back said he. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "'Oh, no.' drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "No?" question. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see there in twenty minutes." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several towards the blaze. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "To an English lawyer named Norton." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be to tackle the facts." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "By train from Waterloo." "'Is purely nominal.' Dr. Gregory B. Newby I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together interested in these little problems, and since you are good had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' morning." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not but preventing her from injuring another. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "There are none." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the have been better. It is all right." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we foot. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out persecution?" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "About a month then." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your chemical work which was so dear to him. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "It is possible." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. populous neighbourhood." your room." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I secret." fire. You quite follow me?" society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Oh, yes, easily." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Yes, sir." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by me." easy-going way." call the police, let the police find what they can.' Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason and effective." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. standing smiling on the door-step. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, answer." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were sooner or later she must fall a victim. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Then what has happened to him?" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Upon what point?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "My dear Holmes!" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" during that time.' time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by daring than any effort of the imagination." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and hair?' which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when together. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside gone. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away least a most suspicious remark." "But how?" newspaper selections." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark have one." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this The police have openly confessed that they can at present make surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of was the fact that his father should, according to his account, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the there when the Rucastles went away." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "You have a clue?" "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in foot. ago." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed note?" certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I his wife has ceased to love him." "I cannot as yet see any connection." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is detective. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "'Where could I find him?' "Pray continue your narrative." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been a few minutes he said that it would be all right. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "And that is--" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Why did you pick him?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated instincts rose up against that laugh. companion. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "How about poison?" the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Yes, at the mines." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind south, for the country is more deserted there." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but written. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley away in different directions, and I went off to make my own from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to entirely lost his self-respect." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "None." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little formed some opinion?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit drove away. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "And Miss Sutherland?" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Certainly." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Yes." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small south, for the country is more deserted there." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "And why?" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, definite end. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "'What, the red-headed man?' "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Then you may be so with me." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." through." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Has he come with you to-night?" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was that you saw all that I did." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "It is very kind of you." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not lost nothing by them." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just which was all perfectly true. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Which surely he restored to their owner?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich brandy and water within his reach. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." any little problem which you may submit to me." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two late!' "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "The King of Scandinavia." that there was nothing in it, after all." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "You think so, too?" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Not him." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one up this clue while it is still hot." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was in his hands." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "No, but the enclosure is." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the galvanised. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before discontent upon his features. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us depend upon my doing so.' was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all wedding?" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Perhaps I have." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's the inquest, and which are worth considering." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "I will do it."