a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the I approached. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Yes, certainly." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "And how did you verify them?" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must opportunities to fix the problem. "Yes, he did." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit allusion to a rat. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, beyond words. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "What of the rat, then?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "You have compromised yourself seriously." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "An accident, I presume?" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "But who is he?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander during which he might have communicated with his friend the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Precisely." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "He slept on the premises." ventilator." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "A confidential servant?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very obstinate." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Have you it here?" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Get out!" said he. Serpentine Avenue. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "'You doubt its value?' he asked. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. lumber-room." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, it." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, system of imprisonment?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more charge against him will break down." six. Come in!" "Certainly, madam." "Yes, it would be as well." should be so warm over such a trifle." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my photograph?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her helping a boy to put up the shutters. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" even of instruction." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is suddenly upon us." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. again." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until ready to-morrow?' "What of the rat, then?" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, placed his cuttings. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that 'I should be able to look after that for you.' for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." chill to my heart. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "I cannot as yet see any connection." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Always." anything to do with the matter?" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced the nursery. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Certainly, madam." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock has little to do with my story." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." I took the paper from him and read as follows: rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Yes." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I crackling voice. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "How did he come?" "Did he not advertise?" bill, which interests me deeply." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "What?" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already about here speaks of his kindness to him." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from companion quietly. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the made his money." "Yes, that is the Crown." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much furiously. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so to his chemical studies. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "So I heard. You have him here?" "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: certainly do as you advise." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Not social, then?" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from eavesdroppers?' importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main never will be, entirely cleared up. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll depend upon my doing so.' Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it coat-tails." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "In heaven's name, what for?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "It certainly sounds feasible." existence." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of into the bag, and made for the door. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "It is very kind of you." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done it right.' "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should true." and put his glass in his pocket. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not as yours." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "'Never,' said I. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather make me his representative both with the servants and with the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his who was a member of your goose club." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and hurried away. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, it." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a whereabouts. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "And your mother is alive?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue new duties?' suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive in a very precise fashion." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. What do you deduce from it?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, questionable one." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his figure." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "'Certainly not. But why?' colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "And Miss Sutherland?" "So I heard. You have him here?" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive acted in my house last night?" "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the better grown goose." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to key turn in the lock." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my lost his Christmas dinner." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but deduce something from that?" Holmes rather sternly. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Thank you. And your address?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, that threaten you." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "And what then?" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "I cannot tell." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "So I am. Very much so." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting my special province." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat you give your casting vote to?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had pity, because in other respects you would really have done very and it need not interfere very much with one's other paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. conduct the inquiry." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "And how have you succeeded?" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I their singular warning or token before them when starting upon down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day once more for Briony Lodge. how narrow had been my escape. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the round with crates and massive boxes. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and few hundred pounds.' "Precisely." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." hardly wander." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "'Where to?' his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest paper in the air. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Her father is very rich?" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "But what is it you wish?" "Which surely he restored to their owner?" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Indeed! Whose, then?" father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands and the colonel ushered me in. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their room had already been engaged for us. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old papers on the sundial.'" "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the formed some opinion?" possible that we could bring him back to her? of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Oh, fresh and glossy." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, weighed down with some great anxiety. best detective that ever lived. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of there when the Rucastles went away." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in for and were ordered to this address. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman success. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was spark where all is dark to me." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" dead, shall be safe with us." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt sparkled upon his finger. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Count Von Kramm." where she found matters as described by the last witness. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a present." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "You have the photograph?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was in. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few