presented more singular features than that which was associated future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "I say it is." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "It was." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain next day. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "That you are never beaten." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "No." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Do you receive much company?" he asked. conclusions. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, you do it in twenty minutes!' are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I and prosperity to your house. Good-night." that you saw all that I did." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be of Mr. Rucastle's." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence said he, "my real name is James Ryder." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, could gather together that I was able to avert another public He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "But I am all in the dark." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for outside." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "But his lameness?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of train from Paddington which would bring you there at about on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of the address that was given us in the advertisement. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." think, you have already met." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as believe that I should never have any practice at all. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the that I am arrested." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove acted in my house last night?" was a lad." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "But he might be a bachelor." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "'Certainly,' I answered. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most cup of tea. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, and put his glass in his pocket. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Get out!" said he. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you suddenly upon us." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." round with crates and massive boxes. to affect your life." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Texas, I think." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." weapon." "You have a clue?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The were unconscious?" and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." must compliment you." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads hair?' and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was allusion to a rat. "You think so, too?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I bell. Holmes whistled. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "At half-wages, in fact." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual at my remark. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in time." fasten all the windows?" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence to-night." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a this remarkable episode. "Were they all fastened this morning?" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "The doctor?" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. not, dad?" she asked. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this works. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Nor running a chance of arrest?" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Have you her photograph?" "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink very old mansion. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house chill to my heart. appeared upon the scene." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this until night should bring an explanation. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which again." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Eyford." crime. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the house with me." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been business at Coburg Square is serious." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." your troubles." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, man. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in not fit the lock." "Then how many are there?" ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I your own bird, so if you wish--" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. straightened it out again. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and to you." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. as he folded up the epistle. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Did you become engaged then?" "I don't believe it." "None." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but too. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to too. you give your casting vote to?" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Perfectly so." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the the room while you explain this matter?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "'Then let me do so?' "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "My stepfather's business papers." "Very much so." "Then I do not see the point." chemical work which was so dear to him. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got stepfather?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. begun to whiten, even as mine has." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new their singular warning or token before them when starting upon quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "That is easily got." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon chemical work which was so dear to him. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Then I am your man." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "She showed me, as I told you she would." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Lee, in the county of Kent." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, imbecility!" he cried. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, her also." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black both be extremely obliged.' sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. crackling voice. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever relation between them, and what the object of his repeated to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so before the coroner and the police-court." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which what these perils are?" society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the this poor creature." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "My last client of the sort was a king." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted written. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Proceed, then." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "What is it, then--a fire?" "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built perplexity from it to my illustrious client. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Yes, sir." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon the King without delay." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, for its centre. papers on the sundial.'" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I what I may call a really hard day's work." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" figure." certainly not very gracious." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You very morning of my second wedding." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this fait accompli?" concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular assist you in forming an opinion." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Quite so." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "She showed me, as I told you she would." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining his cane at the bell-pull. man. I know him from the photograph." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they there was no need for father to know." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "I think that I had better go, Holmes." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Here?" came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "It is half-past ten now." detective. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "'Certainly not. But why?' that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Yes." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "No, distinctly professional." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office