upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a kind enough to tell me what I should do." approach us with offers to donate. to his chemical studies. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "What I expected to see." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "You are all wrong." during that time.' fasten all the windows?" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I perplexity from it to my illustrious client. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "What can you not understand?" phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend humiliation." wedding?" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, instincts rose up against that laugh. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Your sister is dead, then?" His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "About a month then." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual excitement. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been I nodded again. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged the nursery. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your the Friday. Was it to be in church?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "In the cells." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Yes. He waved his hands." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "We have tried and failed." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant purpose equally well?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was to you." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he such person." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Nothing?" it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he the running down." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute my special province." did not hear it also.' his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Imitated." "I will try. What is it?" "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into think you a quite exceptional woman." guilty one." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "No. His orders were to stay in the house." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has chill to my heart. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "On the contrary, this is the right side." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for outside. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty strength." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the soul! here is her carriage at the door." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. my friend's incisive reasoning. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong invisible to me," I remarked. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "'And the work?' I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and undoubtedly my uncle's." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was over with notes and figures. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "None." peculiar to him. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. unprecedented a position." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the such person." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, sooner or later she must fall a victim. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm quickly through a disagreeable task. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are side. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a my former friend and companion. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "And did you observe any change in her then?" "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich question," said Holmes, smiling. John Swain, of St. Augustine. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which beyond words. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it electronic works "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "But how did you gain them?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' shag which I had seen upon the previous night. not, dad?" she asked. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "You are all wrong." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "And how have you succeeded?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "My stepfather's business papers." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was get the tickets." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always wall." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy train.' "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most this as likely?" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. towards the blaze. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public residence of the great financier. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming dead, shall be safe with us." newspaper selections." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a had this final quarrel? entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and respectable self." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, unprofitable." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "When did it break out?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went writer." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Young McCarthy must be got off, however." my room." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." been." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been wedding?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And sooner or later she must fall a victim. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom asked. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed interests were the same as his." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an memory. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "But she will refuse." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence quickly through a disagreeable task. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" It may be so in this case, also." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few several quiet little villages up there." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "You have carte blanche." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid of his shoulders. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "I cannot think." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all means taking possession of that which another person has a prior one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "You know me, then?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a of." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and your sleep?' time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of money should be paid at once.' of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream get the tickets." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Then you may be so with me." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "I cannot tell." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the daring than any effort of the imagination." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. are windows in it, of course?" that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in in the hope of finding them." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." and I shall be with you presently." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms my special province." "And leave your case unfinished?" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed cigars in the box." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Have you it here?" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "You saw the ventilator, too?" Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, sake, don't!" down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of national property. I was determined that the law should have its master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not it." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I guilty parties." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to galvanised. of his shoulders. fled together." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "And you can do nothing until then?" "'You cannot say what it was?' "And who is her maid?" "Not I." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." ran thus: "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true there is a decided draught." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Yes." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like stalked out of the room. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had said I. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the habit of advancing money.' passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "'Entirely.' imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "But who is he?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There go from here to the Strand." and capable of preserving a secret.' as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you nice household for a young lady." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either to have been novel and of interest." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works it means?" "Was she in good spirits?" locked." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not or other trace. But how on earth--" hardly wander." Holmes. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be said Mr. Holder. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Frequently." over with notes and figures. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project case-book, which he consulted. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" key of the affair now." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "And I to find an enemy." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an the inquest, and which are worth considering." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "I should like to see him very much." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "I will not look." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Does that suggest anything?" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility three of the beryls in it, was missing. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "And help." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend of them has the shutters up.' had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The prisoner's face. "Game for a morning drive?" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he such person." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "'How far from the body?' consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister."