"Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Young McCarthy must be got off, however." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in what is your own theory as to what took place?" lamp. existence." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Yes." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Yes." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you what is your own theory as to what took place?" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and introspective fashion. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have fear." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door neither fascinating nor artistic." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what not, dad?" she asked. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a sparkled upon his finger. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "I am about to be married." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "It is possible." companion quietly. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same where she found matters as described by the last witness. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how society." "I shall most certainly do so." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "I say that I have solved it." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" wedding?" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' again, where I was soon asleep. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William train.' this remarkable episode. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said God! What an exposure! What can I do?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See go--none." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of annoyance, but no jest. from you?" hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered appointment with me for six o'clock?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank he bowed and left the room without another word. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Seven!" I answered. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "The murder was done with it." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I chance at all." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "But how did you gain them?" "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De bachelor.' blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had it right.' and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. figure." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "One?" really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The disturbance in my wife." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that upon the white wrist. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Yes." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several careless servant girl?" obstinate." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two promised to bring home. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that his knees, staring into the fire. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very grasp, he hurried from the room. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "To ruin me." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and your sleep?' of it with the greatest attention. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" it." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about wedding?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left in this note: "'I am sure if I had known--' "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "And you can do nothing until then?" 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "And it is--" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." tail." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most the coronet in his hand?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San foresight and the moral retrogression?" the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, how narrow had been my escape. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A affection." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the them?" and wait." "Could he throw no light?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Witness: It was. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears enough to aid us in our search." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "'And what are they worth?' I asked. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the clang of the bell. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "I cannot tell." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. you." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "I cannot imagine." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely heavily into it. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the crime. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." read over the extraordinary announcement. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with detained." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Who was the criminal, then?" my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such test if we have an answer to our advertisement." His name is Francis Prosper." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Have you her photograph?" "I cannot tell." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for weapon." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more prison!" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one as the one I chose?' towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and constraint." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be forecastle of an emigrant ship. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, straighten it?" facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "No sign of it?" a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with note?" "One of his hands." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you new duties?' "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united past. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns the devil!" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three go from here to the Strand." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we bedroom door." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get the stones. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Nothing." least a fellow-countryman. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." thin legs towards the fire. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "What do you make of that, Watson?" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man dramatic, in fact." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet meant it for the best. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he it? Did I buy the geese off you?" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is had this final quarrel? "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it for and were ordered to this address. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard look dissatisfied." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it my friend's incisive reasoning. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "In the cells." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. pressing in one house as in another. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without note?" public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "I don't believe it." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily annoyance, but no jest. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. fear." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred pound a week." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was may never be exposed to such a temptation." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so that you can jump it.' and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which seven miles from Eyford Station.' hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His experiences." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived.