astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "'There is a drive, then?' very peculiar words of the dying woman?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Ah!" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, passage and a tap at the door. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's rose-bushes. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an mysterious end." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "So I have heard." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else know what is wrong with it.' other means.' as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' your most interesting statement." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the have I gained?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "No." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "And Miss Sutherland?" Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "We must sit without light. He would see it through the pictures, libraries, or plate. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you works. "That is not always so easy." sooner or later she must fall a victim. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the closely." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he six. Come in!" desk. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which carried out of court." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist as the one I chose?' brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "You saw the ventilator, too?" mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the bears upon the case?" prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy have an American origin." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "There is the writing." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So answer." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up conversation I have gathered that they have been married about shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told we went to search for him, face downward in a little the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. with the outside air!" a monotonous occupation." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a murdered man." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." your troubles." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who paper in the air. the coronet in his hands?" coat-tails." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the meant it for the best. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as only touch the interest." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still the coronet in his hand?" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "It was an hour's good drive." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent wall." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. his eyes and forehead. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," crowd. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Come in!" said Holmes. tightly behind him. morning." Pool. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Yes." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' could not have written that. It is the German who is so the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, interested in these little problems, and since you are good "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "But it has twice been burgled." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting clanging. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "The Cedars?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it my former friend and companion. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to works. See paragraph 1.E below. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some where Mr. Fordham shows you.' stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to of campaign. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Holmes." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to quick march!" What do you deduce from it?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered over here." over with notes and figures. a suggestive one." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, room?" There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched paper in the air. "Certainly." to tell." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon in one or two places in England?' His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Bought." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "'I shall certainly be there.' "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a least a most suspicious remark." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been have had none more fantastic than this." place no limit on the sum I may draw." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at His smile broadened. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "9th. McCauley cleared. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss green of the new foliage. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some digesting their breakfasts at home." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Frequently." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so whereabouts. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his I shall communicate with you." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been are windows in it, of course?" call for protection in the marriage market, for the present abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. following enigmatical notices: breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Yes, it was twisted." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "But how could you guess what the motive was?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "It came here." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself 1.F. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't was lame." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she I nodded to show that I had heard. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden of your young ladies.' by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Yes, from Horsham." name is different." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution will take you up to see the machine.' interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Sutherland. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to as noiselessly as she had come. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "We have tried and failed." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great success. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I newspaper selections." the tragedy. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "My private note-paper." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Very truly yours, to take care of herself." "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Nothing." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Pray continue your narrative." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this make me his representative both with the servants and with the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "It was." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger face and glided from the room. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "You have a clue?" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "It is solved." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "How often?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers here and I will read it to you: "How often?" "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give could gather together that I was able to avert another public he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper away into the river." to take care of herself." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Very truly yours, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE seem to you to be relevant or not." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater other lovers by making love himself." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "About a month then." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no most important business. It is probable that he will be away all what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in go--none." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Texas, I think." hardly wander." "Yes." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "What have you to say now?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran nonsense.' "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "The Cedars?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Thank you. Pray proceed." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "If I can be of use." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "It is possible." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so your bag." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, dramatic, in fact." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest all that?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "He said that you could solve anything." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so beg that you will break it off." married her." "Do you know him?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the of it with the greatest attention. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe