murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "I will not look." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might maid will bring up your coffee." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "'Tell me all about it,' said I. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a power." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "When did she vanish, then?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' straighten it?" be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and is now desirous of getting those letters back." discontent upon his features. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, together. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. galvanised. "No good news?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was already been minutely examined." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small point in the dark hollow of his hand. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a appointment with me for six o'clock?" all?" all?" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly infinite languor in his face. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "No, I think that I'll take it." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Then I do not see the point." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "My dear Holmes!" "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. little trying to do so much typewriting?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a bonnet, and went out." you give your casting vote to?" brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on or in danger--" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see purpose of examination. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to the coroner come to?" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending once more on the important position which you have been fortunate but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been you found me to-night--and running through the front room she appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper as he remarks, very much against the son." situation." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, the dangers which encompass me." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend to his chemical studies. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted character. which our visitor detailed to us. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who villagers almost as much as their master. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "That you are never beaten." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in invisible to me," I remarked. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. not come at once?" send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "But what harm can there be in that?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I visitors." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. weighed down with some great anxiety. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow McCarthy." ashen face. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "The best possible." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more during the last few years, and there are many noble families to something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which the best of training." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email clanging. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "I cannot tell." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you me where it went to?" said he at last. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. fact, we may call it conclusive." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to meant it for the best. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "What is it?" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Henry Baker is a member." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "And your mother is alive?" bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had attention." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a gone. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Have you her photograph?" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by suggested at once that there must be a communication between the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could I was concerned in it." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help discontent upon his features. "And what then?" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical the best of training." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece wife's character?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Dr. Becher's." "The vanishing of the lady." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, congratulate you again." been with you?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Pope's Court. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." Surrey." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, client, rising. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "One?" ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after peculiar to him. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to trifles." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the never will be, entirely cleared up. what I may call a really hard day's work." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the when your master had gone out." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through been deceived." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not my special province." "And what did you see?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "At half-wages, in fact." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Your presence might be invaluable." individual and becomes the badge of a society." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "In heaven's name, what for?" "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Did he not advertise?" neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his you." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner perplexity from it to my illustrious client. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "'And what salary do you ask?' "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which meant." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been fatally injured? "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "But how did you gain them?" matter." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "What then?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "It is no ordinary one." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat astonishment. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some chambers. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, he died? o'clock is it?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy late!' three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "I never have." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be following enigmatical notices: hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my visitors." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was your room." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think meant it for the best. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "'Quite sure, dad.' everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Well?" interest. They are important, you understand, without being "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "We have tried and failed." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Has he come with you to-night?" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "But you have hopes?" copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich heavy and sharp instrument." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "But you have hopes?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding bachelor.' "I fear not." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, I leave." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "She will not sell." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. been deceived." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "I was afraid that you were engaged." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent round and wave him away like that.' family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "And Miss Sutherland?" "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw few hundred pounds.' explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of stalked out of the room. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting charged with?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, name is different." companion. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." my room." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very help us in this matter." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with one's self under obligations.' which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You had picked up in the wood. my secret was safe in his possession. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Deserted you?" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "What is it, then--a fire?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He