before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the had picked up in the wood. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with his forehead." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Not I." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "A thing like a cleaver," said he. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow one's self under obligations.' "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "I say that I have solved it." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the heavy and sharp instrument." have I gained?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "'What would be the hours?' I asked. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he is now desirous of getting those letters back." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "But I am all in the dark." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and brought there to personate someone, and the real person is perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "You will not go there first?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in License. You must require such a user to return or "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man it." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to his face which made him a very different person to the round, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Edgeware Road. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Never to return." that?' and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three forebodings. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into his face which made him a very different person to the round, confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible suspect him." "Was he the only applicant?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four careless servant girl?" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was speckled band?" considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this yet." into the bag, and made for the door. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "One?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "One of his hands." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup existence." that he has suffered." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "It came here." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Well, some hundreds of times." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country is now desirous of getting those letters back." a monotonous occupation." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' outside. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "I think that it is very probable." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that acquaintance?" vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "None." even so self-evident a thing as that." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might before the coroner and the police-court." reach." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Do you know him?" stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "I will not look." "'It is locked up,' I answered. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester away into the river." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the the station." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps you in your example." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "It missed him, then?" eavesdroppers?' clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a nothing of it?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Henry Baker is a member." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered appeal." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears have been better. It is all right." "I should like to see him very much." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his straighten it?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "But how?" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "None." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as it." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Pray do so." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that to-night's adventure." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Yes, from Horsham." than was visible to me." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my foot. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. the inquest, and which are worth considering." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy John Swain, of St. Augustine. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have persecution?" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Dr. Gregory B. Newby St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project was shining brightly. prepare for the new role I have to play." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the iron safe, which he closed upon it. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in as yours." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had criminal. We have already had experience of such." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "And now?" I asked. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "About a month then." London for the present?" words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy meant." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Where is it, then?" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the chamber." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "'I am sure if I had known--' outbreak?" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "'As governess?' "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Have you it here?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes tension within him. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Texas, I think." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend asked with his eyes open. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "That sounds a little paradoxical." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Yes, at the mines." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "You saw the ventilator, too?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he purpose equally well?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it meant." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. the child." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray there were one or two details which were new to me. But the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "His face fell immediately. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if to me. clanging. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so interest. They are important, you understand, without being and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "A confidential servant?" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which the date of his supposed suicide." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he beg that you will break it off." certainly do as you advise." you give your casting vote to?" there in twenty minutes." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "None. Neville wrote those words." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "No, but the enclosure is." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "You have it, sir, just as it happened." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "But what will you do?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own ventilator." you give your casting vote to?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "You are all wrong." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast helping a boy to put up the shutters. "And you don't know his address?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Yes, it was twisted." system of imprisonment?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal indiscretion." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the whether it answered to the description of any of their years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in stood on the top of it. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, your own bird, so if you wish--" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been points to suicide?" Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and have one." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "I cannot say that I have." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, Arthur Conan Doyle list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "I don't say that. Perhaps." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this woven round him. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "I answered that I had not. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more From what you have told me I think that it is possible that staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "And I." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "At the wedding breakfast." "Seven!" I answered. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. the matter?" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "'Yes, I promise.' hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. clanging. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Precisely." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue before, for it was considerably after midnight. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "My own seal." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "'How far from the body?' events than those which have happened in my own family." "But he might be a bachelor." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Bought." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera Holmes' room. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I ways of our fellow-men." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while details should find their way into the papers. Inspector call you and give you the chance." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to points in connection with it which never have been, and probably gigantic client. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope strength of mind to control. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he man. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered then?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in at my own good fortune. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Then I am your man." "What can you not understand?" platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "None." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried during the last few years, and there are many noble families to while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his coat-tails." tightly behind him. "In heaven's name, what for?" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Yes." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the pound a week." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave