glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is are windows in it, of course?" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Perhaps we may make them less so." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers said I. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger little trying to do so much typewriting?" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first was lame." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. power." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "That is possible." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Then how many are there?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance clang of the bell. possible that we could bring him back to her? just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "What office?" innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Farm upon the left." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not dead, shall be safe with us." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "If so, much may have happened between." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied derbies." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "The doctor?" 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "'I am sure that I do not know.' ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking upon the white wrist. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still of." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began security.' chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Yes, they were peculiar boots." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "But to whom?" access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "No, but the enclosure is." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, union?" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll politicians who had been sent down from the North. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "But he might be a bachelor." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a that threaten you." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, call for it in person on Monday morning.' copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am friend's singular character. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Yes." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great will take you up to see the machine.' here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day hour?' the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did are, I think, all that we need." you understand?" "'There is a drive, then?' bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been constraint." Sutherland?" "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that later, upon the night of May 2nd." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "'Certainly,' I answered. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Why serious?" returning from some small jollification and was making his way him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far go--none." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "I don't believe it." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "How did you deduce the select?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for train.' "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Yes, sir." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less your Highness to the police-station?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. washing it down with a long draught of water. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner tassel actually lying upon the pillow. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "I should be immensely obliged to you." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was washing it down with a long draught of water. the inner apartment." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking not within a twentieth part of the market price." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Do you know him?" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "'How far from the body?' absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is during which he might have communicated with his friend the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you fatally injured? railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Nothing." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at think that any burglar could have done. me. You must get home instantly and act." to a light-house. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "On the contrary, this is the right side." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "But I have heard all that you have heard." fishes. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "The rest you will leave in our hands." "No." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "He is still with you, I presume?" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California for its centre. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large mysterious end." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek public press." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "'I have heard so.' adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "'Which dealer's?' of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "'Where to?' springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "What then?" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." a little more before I quite committed myself. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the The King stared at him in amazement. official police." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the matter over." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the death." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "I should like to see him very much." character. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies of the one which your family is now devouring." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt them?" about. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and served to weaken the effect. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked persecution?" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be the best of training." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Yes." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do begun to whiten, even as mine has." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is British peeress.'" "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then instincts rose up against that laugh. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow your sleep?' trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great own family. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "They are typewritten," I remarked. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now golden eyeglasses. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on one of them." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' points in connection with it which never have been, and probably pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the overpowering excitement and concern. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing province." at my own good fortune. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." room?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away companion. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. you." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in place, I think that there is good ground to think that the nice household for a young lady." McCarthy's innocence. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Pray continue your narrative." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me night.' said he. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "About a month then." I. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, my room." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "And why in hopes?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. father's place of business?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Does that suggest anything?" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. was a perfect sample of the class. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "But who is he?" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we will be renamed. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just is so. I know all about McCarthy." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told interest. They are important, you understand, without being visitors." "And help." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just strength in the others." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the prison!" "She showed me, as I told you she would." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. becomes even more simple." 'please.'" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "The Coroner: What do you mean? you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. upon the white wrist. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here appeal." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "'Where to?' "None." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my in a very precise fashion." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "And help." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which But Holmes shook his head gravely. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "I would pay ten." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "'No, I know no one in these parts.' the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, just called myself is not exactly my own." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Doctor, of the paper and the date." "My dear Holmes!" "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. door?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her long narrative. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her good for you to do.' and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "At half-wages, in fact." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked