a good hundred miles off by now." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Of what day?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "When did it break out?" little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." the one as in the other." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being some water from a caraffe. himself. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. my little problems." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "And who is her maid?" reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Have you good authority for what you say?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch Mary, has deserted me." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." villagers almost as much as their master. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "You will not go there first?" round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you have an American origin." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been himself to hunt down. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "This concluded the examination of the witness." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his strange features which were associated with the two crimes which light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. purpose equally well?" "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "He disappeared so suddenly." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with for and were ordered to this address. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "That you are never beaten." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, you." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, companion. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see spark where all is dark to me." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Yes." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray ordinary clothes on?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Quite so. She has her freedom." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little morning." strong reason behind." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place business matters.' Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a but preventing her from injuring another. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was interest. They are important, you understand, without being "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of before, for it was considerably after midnight. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works bore every mark of being an average commonplace British too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into and have this put in the evening papers." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You in the hope of finding them." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, second." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by hereditary King of Bohemia." companion quietly. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "You'll never persuade me to believe that." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a peculiar to him. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, desk. despair." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, less than 26s. 4d. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his weary and pale-looking. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love words came to my lips. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I call you and give you the chance." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not indeed happy." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "It is to him that this trophy belongs." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs himself in a perplexing position. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "I am to be neutral?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to the devil!" morning." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Do you go out much in society?" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's cheerful." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which later, upon the night of May 2nd." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in a suggestive one." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Witness: Nothing definite. them?" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. easy-going way." 11:15.' woman who has had her own way to make in the world. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Arthur Conan Doyle dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "I think that it is very probable." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' exactly what you advise." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One married her." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess maiden herself was most instructive." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant clanging. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Entirely." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate his face. address. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four salesman. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' you in yours." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, of receipt of the work. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Gutenberg-tm License. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "I would give my fortune to have them back." that "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any anything to do with the matter?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "But she could not love him." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this business." "Yes, from Horsham." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "May I see it?" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar see me here to avoid scandal." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ four million human beings all jostling each other within the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a congenial hunt. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." place no limit on the sum I may draw." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "9th. McCauley cleared. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "But I have heard all that you have heard." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an examine." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view acted in my house last night?" Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents how narrow had been my escape. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out at my own good fortune. "That was it, sir." "And help." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the developed." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar suspect him." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "'How far from the body?' better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might an introduction to him?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the the station." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." you for a few hours?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to throat." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see notes," he said. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said chemical work which was so dear to him. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Awake, Watson?" he asked. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he asked. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as were wasted." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his which was all perfectly true. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." points to suicide?" ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the she used." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "In answer to an advertisement." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying I. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "And that is--" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "In answer to an advertisement." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his little trying to do so much typewriting?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "My dear Holmes!" back to my heart. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" business." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the writing, and yet I know it well." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella even so self-evident a thing as that." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The could not account in any way for the presence of the missing villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up