"Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the at once, for I have only half an hour." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from occurred." hour?' she used." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such she to prove their authenticity?" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Not in the least." attention." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to meanly of me." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very silent! Oh, he will be silent!' imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "That's no good." events than those which have happened in my own family." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what gbnewby@pglaf.org locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "And what did you see?" leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical be sorry for having acted so harshly." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, open." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle right! Sit down and let us talk it over." delighted to hear it," he said. you?' that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank morning." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I crime. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "It is half-past ten now." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked deduce something from that?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. I have it here in my museum." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Here?" cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Yes, he did." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have stammered. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm were new raised from a basin. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, ready to-morrow?' "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my highly," said Holmes. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I character. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out at a side door. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "And how have you succeeded?" unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "It certainly sounds feasible." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and constraint." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Not in the least." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "My Mary? Impossible!" London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, be. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not remarked. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "'As governess?' inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you seem to you to be relevant or not." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own the morning and make my own way in the world.' Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham that I can to serve you." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. ready to-morrow?' been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "'Yes, sir.' with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her address. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "And how did he make his money?" "Yes." few hundred pounds.' hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "You horrify me." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are returned to France?" dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Game for a morning drive?" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such it. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." were wasted." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering morning." joking. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, particular state visit http://pglaf.org the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his there were so many in the whole country as were brought together is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no British peeress.'" Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but questionable one." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic room?" "Did he not advertise?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Certainly." said he. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in of receipt of the work. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." matters immensely." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by of the way of danger. south, for the country is more deserted there." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed upon the shelf for the interim." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the devil!" in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had children over to America with him, so that I found myself without and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his comes from the middle window." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Where, then?" was not a bird to be seen there. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "How on earth--" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was was used.' and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "'Stolen!' he cried. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "I have come for advice." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have purpose equally well?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but read over the extraordinary announcement. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with out of this horrible affair." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an of Mr. Rucastle's." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "'Is purely nominal.' better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the warnings." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' with frightened eyes at his accuser. in the dead of the night?' "Not I." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had noise which awoke you from your sleep?" were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been charged with?" place of silver." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded and shall probably return to London by the evening train." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own McCarthy." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "His face fell immediately. posted to-day." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "To an end?" my friend's incisive reasoning. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the reach." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Entirely." gone. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the thought that she would have been so carried away." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "I cannot tell." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "How did you trace it, then?" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I obstinate." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' she might be summoned. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Then how many are there?" "And from a noble client?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried not come at once?" leave you to your papers for a little." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance and effective." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will opportunities to fix the problem. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get noise which awoke you from your sleep?" murdered man." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "The gentleman I describe." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." that I am arrested." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the name is different." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that breakfast?" rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the constraint." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "My Mary? Impossible!" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like bled considerably." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with rose-bushes. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in business came to an end." "You did not overhear what they said?" "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "I have my revolver," said I. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Yesterday." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "I have my revolver," said I. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in now. It seems that there had been some informality about their suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more carried out of court." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His for and were ordered to this address. "Come in!" said he. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated companion imperturbably. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his are, I think, all that we need." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, strong and stiff."