one's self under obligations.' not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the tension within him. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a I have it here in my museum." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for unprecedented a position." existence." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "She will not sell." heavy and sharp instrument." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there had picked up in the wood. such person." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from this as likely?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that in the hope of finding them." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "'Where to?' instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate interest. They are important, you understand, without being "I do." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his back into the street. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near danger is over." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "It is possible." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting present strange and interesting features that it is no easy obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." direction." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual and the whole place is in a blaze." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." case-book, which he consulted. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this asked with his eyes open. hair?' his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Why, what do you mean?" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, absolutely follow my advice in every respect." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled you for a few hours?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a case-book, which he consulted. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a invisible to me," I remarked. husband's writing, madam." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" so.' who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should tell them apart.' how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you occurred." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle writers could invent nothing more crude." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "I see no marks." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which business in the City. She little knew what. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower what do you think they found in the pockets?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already fashion which was peculiar to him. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing in his hands." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in discontent upon his features. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or least a fellow-countryman. papers must be those that are destroyed.' and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly that I can to serve you." you want, then?' inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "You horrify me." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting opened the door, and slipped through. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring key turn in the lock." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." trifles." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with have been better. It is all right." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Not in the least." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest in the port of London." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." remarked. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez It was close upon four before the door opened, and a drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Where did you address your letters, then?" machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." during that time.' am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' test if we have an answer to our advertisement." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his outsides of the windows. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, enter into my head. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three passage and a tap at the door. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "But you can know nothing of this?" "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my whatever might befall. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "You have but to name it." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "No, distinctly professional." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. your most interesting statement." "I say it is." "By all means." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most said he at last. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "It certainly sounds feasible." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "I see many objections to any such theory." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either kind enough to tell me what I should do." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "In heaven's name, what for?" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if obstinate." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his to miss it." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "What have you to say now?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." it right.' return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "I will try. What is it?" the address that was given us in the advertisement. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without his wife has ceased to love him." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Yes, certainly." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin works. See paragraph 1.E below. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business way: "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Very much so." amused." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "What of the rat, then?" "What will you do, then?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have about here speaks of his kindness to him." rose-bushes. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert ourselves in the office." chemical work which was so dear to him. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I chance at all." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Deserted you?" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." will not take me long to tell. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." I took the paper from him and read as follows: 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more a very grave face. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of locked." that in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further your equipment. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "He is dead," cried several voices. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and gigantic client. one else, I think." was a lad." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow tapping his fingers upon the table. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "So I have heard." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it have accepted such a situation. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and at a side door. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. annoyance, but no jest. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "To an English lawyer named Norton." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of will be renamed. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Witness: It was. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the someone who had been in Australia." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three photograph a cabinet?" public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm locked." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when excitement. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight correct than the official force." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his to me. gentleman's clothes. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Your sister is dead, then?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful together. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that You want to know what became of those geese?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Perhaps we may make them less so." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Really! You surprise me." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will at a side door. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "No, I am descending." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, know that the truth is known." of receipt of the work. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She then?" Literary Archive Foundation diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do went to the Alpha were town bred." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. Mary, has deserted me." fled together." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, had this final quarrel? coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Then, as to money?" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." over his head with a sweet womanly caress.