some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Nothing." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower flock.' with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net introspective fashion. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, this as likely?" into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to detained." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "What will you say?" papers on the sundial.'" at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock rose-bushes. matter." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would noise which awoke you from your sleep?" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Mary, has deserted me." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "That is easily got." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up you came in." leaning back in his chair. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good security.' "You saw the ventilator, too?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Your presence might be invaluable." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own had died away into the silence from which it rose. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over You want to know what became of those geese?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and electronic works this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed It was close upon four before the door opened, and a advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Nothing." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "'Where to?' was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at one's self under obligations.' to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, a room. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly to-night's adventure." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Not in the least." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was one of the states of the Union." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "'Is 4 pounds a week.' knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their look dissatisfied." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Stolen, then." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the bare slabs of marble. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with money should be paid at once.' touch that coronet?' "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "But of what society?" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. in this way: thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a their singular warning or token before them when starting upon the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to Dr. Gregory B. Newby we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the villagers almost as much as their master. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the following enigmatical notices: forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a least a fellow-countryman. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Then I shall certainly come." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson that, and I came down." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply to tackle the facts." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I and wait." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of bed dies. Does not that strike you?" years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "But what is it you wish?" greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Do you know him?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what all?" make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "And who is her maid?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "What is it?" "Where, then, is my wife?" "'Stolen!' he cried. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking closely." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the official police." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, once more. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the once more to my work. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I where we are going." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other an introduction to him?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of in darkness. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." from the brougham. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This shall use the carriage to-night." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle to-morrow." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes chill to my heart. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Pope's Court, Fleet Street." had formerly been in part my own. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "That is easily got." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "I don't believe it." "I cannot imagine." rooms." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he are windows in it, of course?" "But how will you look?" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "We were both in the photograph." down. train.' ready to-morrow?' handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they have got?" a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door see me here to avoid scandal." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her and it need not interfere very much with one's other broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing and have this put in the evening papers." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Yes, sir." quite distinctive." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my I nodded to show that I had heard. an introduction to him?" his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "My Mary? Impossible!" practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. how narrow had been my escape. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to companion. "Then, how do you know?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Pray continue your narrative." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and I leave." help us in this matter." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly child?' "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. do you make of it all?" three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "And how did he make his money?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "I shall most certainly do so." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in she used." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, corner of the building. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee kind enough to tell me what I should do." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for murdered man." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "That is not always so easy." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my if only as a check to my own memory." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and narrative." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and papers must be those that are destroyed.' "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if note?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Why serious?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of from you?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "I came to find a friend." mystery!" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm to-morrow." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a searched, without anything being found which could incriminate were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Bought." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "The knees of his trousers." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning depend upon your compliance." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "'I shall certainly be there.' permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain walking." Munro.' Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "I am armed." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "And sit in the dark?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "'As governess?' be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a was feeling which was the fattest.' seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three even so self-evident a thing as that." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her client, rising. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I other means.' opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from happened." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all three fields round his house, and there he would take his claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to had this final quarrel? sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my a few minutes he said that it would be all right. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "It is no ordinary one." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving wedding?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Which surely he restored to their owner?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Well, but China?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have test if we have an answer to our advertisement." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' and glanced through. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Pope's Court. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if address. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "What then?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking McCarthy." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute the house with me." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner