point our research must commence, and we will begin it by when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which weighed down with some great anxiety. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "And it is--" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "I am all attention, madam." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait not interfere, come what may. You understand?" noise which awoke you from your sleep?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." be.' say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "No bad?" corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. papers diligently of late, have you not?" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "What I expected to see." were new raised from a basin. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the in the port of London." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "The gentleman I describe." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "And you don't know his address?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, fluttered off among the others. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a better grown goose." "But it has twice been burgled." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "It goes to the housekeeper's room." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into despair." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for the morning and make my own way in the world.' great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. ashen face. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss fishes. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its shoulder; "he's all right." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Street. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "That's no good." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham James Windibank. Voilà tout!" corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger here." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both License. You must require such a user to return or think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and attention." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence formed some opinion?" "We must have a cab." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies me what he had done with the three missing stones. "How did that help you?" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "And why?" whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Entirely." "'And the work?' his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "My dear Holmes!" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Edgeware Road. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "He might." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham Foundation post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "You have but to name it." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the notes," he said. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the promised to bring home. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the delirious. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage with some details as to your case." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own that before taking the final step I should like to submit the words came to my lips. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." which it had come upon my father." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love were new raised from a basin. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and the matter." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by from you?" I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to go back?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no very morning of my second wedding." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Yes. He waved his hands." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. quite distinctive." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. lectures into a series of tales." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project already referred to. purpose of examination. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his which we had just quitted. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Is he quiet?" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "I have come for advice." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to father's young wife. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "No. What a strange idea!" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "What?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as once more. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My became a certainty. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present burst into a hearty fit of laughter. away into the river." at once, for I have only half an hour." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." round with crates and massive boxes. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my been deceived." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." will he say when he returns?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a extraordinary contortions. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg national property. I was determined that the law should have its The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "'Ten to two.' weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of threw himself down with his face to the pillow. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see me what he had done with the three missing stones. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when at once, for I have only half an hour." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as retorted upon me, and I on you." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Cross for the Continent." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "What have you done?" asked Holmes. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "'Why that?' I asks. was a loud and authoritative tap. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Foundation and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had little adventures." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Serpentine Avenue. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "9th. McCauley cleared. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "What I expected to see." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Perfectly so." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting some city in a dream. "Get out!" said he. questionable one." "Look there!" said he. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," your most interesting statement." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared his huge brown hands. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the pressing in one house as in another. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Munro.' so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "My opinion is in no way altered." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was voice. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "10th. John Swain cleared. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." forebodings. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the or in danger--" "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and acquaintance?" glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "I was sure that I might rely on you." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. this as likely?" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked before the coroner and the police-court." Eyford at 11:15.' "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness matters immensely." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of shoulder; "he's all right." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the or in danger--" by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the case before our client came into the room." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of get her out of the way." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from seem to you to be relevant or not." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. you?' battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "'Oh, no.' may never be exposed to such a temptation." questioning and rather startled gaze. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up heavy and sharp instrument." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to letters?" a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "A client, then?" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "None." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Well, but China?" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. question. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments garden below. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Nothing?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect nonsense.' away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable him." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal ashen face. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington reach." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I sooner or later she must fall a victim. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "An accident, I presume?" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he hour." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is interest. They are important, you understand, without being either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to woven round him. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading asked. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go your sleep?' endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My man. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, walking." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you the night.' then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a morning." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert said I. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy