me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Yes." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Nothing." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his it? Did I buy the geese off you?" while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Pray tell us what has happened to you." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its to-night." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Henry Baker is a member." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. of your young ladies.' the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "You heard nothing yourself last night?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' and put his glass in his pocket. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for absorbing." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Very much so." despair." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into the one as in the other." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "But what will you do?" as noiselessly as she had come. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of what is your own theory as to what took place?" telegram would bring me down to your help." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy License. You must require such a user to return or same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Eyford." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged was the fact that his father should, according to his account, official police." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were was shining brightly. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in charged with?" him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to villagers almost as much as their master. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an nonsense.' some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the dangers which encompass me." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg point in the dark hollow of his hand. question. Holmes' room. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" obstinate." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "I have a cab outside." "'Which dealer's?' "'Is 4 pounds a week.' out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "And is that all?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Yes." carried out of court." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" experiences." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up giving me time to thank him. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she the inquest, and which are worth considering." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "That is possible." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "By no means." and a shock of very red hair. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I green of the new foliage. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any together. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good have I gained?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I in his hands." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the least a most suspicious remark." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "A confidential servant?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really trifles." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from pressing in one house as in another. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "About a month then." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Why? What do you mean?" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an of the way of danger. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He knowledge of the world." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "From his hat?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I wanted for ourselves." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I guilty parties." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very photograph?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "The Coroner: What do you mean? in the dead of the night?' Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation your room." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "I would pay ten." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "None." some terrible trap for her." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Where did he live, then?" "Absolutely none." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "What is it, then--a fire?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a trifles." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had chair. matter." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices records." signal between you and your father? of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you this poor creature." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the dangers which encompass me." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my there in twenty minutes." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his power." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" words came to my lips. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "What is it?" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from forbidden door. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the that I can to serve you." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must been." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "But his left-handedness." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my excitement. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "And help." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" manager. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "How are you getting on?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; colour had been driven from his face. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "No." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was works. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King you understand?" bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." any more." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but both be extremely obliged.' the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from my special province." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "They are typewritten," I remarked. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a served to weaken the effect. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "How are you getting on?" "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only and files of the old papers, following the future career of every crackling voice. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two a good hundred miles off by now." you." villagers almost as much as their master. I shall communicate with you." chance at all." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose all-comprehensive glances. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "How did you deduce the select?" "'Never,' said I. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Very truly yours, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in unprecedented a position." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Farm upon the left." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in this poor creature." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial made his money." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "How did you trace it, then?" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. beyond words. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms it means?" returning from some small jollification and was making his way nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now sufficient punishment." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the noble correspondent could be. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." pierced for earrings?" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for the devil!" Heh?' relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend during that time.' found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A are windows in it, of course?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Cross for the Continent." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the chambers. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, woman." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." respectable self." tail." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather James Windibank. Voilà tout!" and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "But how will you look?" received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, careless servant girl?" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most was it brought him the coronet? nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "By all means." here." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well six. Come in!" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Sholtos." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I to-night?' "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the cheerful." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black works. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, I think that I could be of assistance to you." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "They are typewritten," I remarked. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no do.' had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press must be when I saw the door open.' "And the cigar-holder?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "And what did you learn from him?" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can you for a few hours?" "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah him and tried to hold him back. touch that coronet?' "What then?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Then the page we have seen--" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a