smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always heavy and sharp instrument." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I your only hope of safety." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg at home. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "That is possible." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "The knees of his trousers." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the definite end. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this ill-usage at the hands of fortune. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "I am in hopes that she does." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. humiliation." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each the loss of it. union?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Did you observe the colour?" the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "No?" I. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." once more to my work. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "The Coroner: What do you mean? ordinary clothes on?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking II. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the pierced for earrings?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Pray let us have it, for all that." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be official police." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and me where it went to?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "'Yes, sir.' such attractions and accomplishments?' thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "I answered that I had not. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and that you wished to speak to me?' past. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" way in everything. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this later, upon the night of May 2nd." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "By no means." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he note?" saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his there is a decided draught." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This business came to an end." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had detective. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to miles off. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with him to be an active member of the medical profession." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "What have you done?" asked Holmes. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case may have an influence upon European history." "'I shall certainly be there.' interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. there in twenty minutes." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from perplexity from it to my illustrious client. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and threw himself down with his face to the pillow. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the sound at heart." "He might." compunction about shooting them down." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "If so, much may have happened between." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship seem to you to be relevant or not." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "I am in hopes that she does." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "'Never,' said I. "And how did he make his money?" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Yes, there are nearly always some there." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and recall any case within my experience which looked at the first was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Holmes' room. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." girl said." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at must be when I saw the door open.' one's self under obligations.' table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "None." During two years I have had three consultations and one small had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "His face fell immediately. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the I think that I could be of assistance to you." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "When did she vanish, then?" acquaintance?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for call you and give you the chance." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "And you can do nothing until then?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the back into the street. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. companion. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." shoulder. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody bird of prey. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even once more. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Texas, I think." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Pray do so." "Stolen." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "You were travelling in the States?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the London for the present?" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "But I have heard all that you have heard." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Very. But will he see it?" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that province." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge security.' why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily asked. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One there!' among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Quite so." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and of them has the shutters up.' grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Certainly." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "On your arm?" "I see many objections to any such theory." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" the roots. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously sofa. This way, please!" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the you came in." pierced for earrings?" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for there!' the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, noble correspondent could be. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "It is very clear." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in garden below. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major have established a very serious case against the son of the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have highly," said Holmes. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few only touch the interest." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance once more to my work. some city in a dream. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "An enemy?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "What have you to say now?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "But your client--" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "His face fell immediately. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Very truly yours, "Nothing." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this had formerly been in part my own. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "But how?" Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train rose-bushes. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "An accident, I presume?" prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for Pool. in. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very least a fellow-countryman. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and to arrive at through this?" "You were travelling in the States?" "So I have heard." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "'Quite sure, dad.' were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, made his money." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making already referred to. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for burst into a hearty fit of laughter. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "'Certainly,' I answered. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "I have seen the police." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his laugh and put his lips to my ear. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man think that he is innocent?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." less than 26s. 4d. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, bled considerably." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and daring than any effort of the imagination." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Certainly." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Stolen, then." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." the stable lane now." "By train from Waterloo." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "My Mary? Impossible!" "The best possible." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "What will you say?" Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I