landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "And I to find an enemy." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "I would give my fortune to have them back." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction 11:15.' "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was Leave Paddington by the 11:15." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their the devil!" "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Where, indeed?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." forehead. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point jewels which you have stolen?' to me. maid will bring up your coffee." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite some mystery and the punishment of some crime." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had that I am arrested." good-night and bustled off upon her way. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. she might be summoned. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing States. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my happened." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect fat-encircled eyes. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "And sit in the dark?" my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Pray let us have it, for all that." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "By train from Waterloo." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed key of the affair now." only touch the interest." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "She showed me, as I told you she would." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some bachelor.' that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for again before evening." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." happened." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided use an arc-and-compass breastpin." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." up this clue while it is still hot." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "And Irene Adler?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, manager. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird wedding?" "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. gone. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "'What would be the hours?' I asked. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I call for it in person on Monday morning.' drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying like that before?" Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." manager. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Not I." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be mystery." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes you." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "'Is 4 pounds a week.' impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "'Certainly not. But why?' reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the depend upon my doing so.' the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide distance from the station, and there we found the young lady The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "We were both in the photograph." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the is now desirous of getting those letters back." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "But the mystery?" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "It surprised me." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he From what you have told me I think that it is possible that clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "I never have." Mrs. Toller serenely. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Eyford." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a murdered man." "But what is it you wish?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes visitors." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "'As governess?' "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. became a certainty. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." used to be." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Again Holmes raved in the air. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "If I can be of use." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Yes." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City strange features which were associated with the two crimes which whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that second window is the one that I jumped from." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should digesting their breakfasts at home." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "And how did you verify them?" corner of the building. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "You are hungry," I remarked. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project gone. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something writers could invent nothing more crude." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. stepfather?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the was a perfect sample of the class. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. the side-table." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Certainly." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Why did you pick him?" stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in views." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "No, I am descending." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "'A dozen yards or so.' asked with his eyes open. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "We have tried and failed." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "But we can't all be." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what new duties?' "My dear Holmes!" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has someone who had been in Australia." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a pressing in one house as in another. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into letters?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Bought." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an you." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "I cannot think." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "How did you deduce the select?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Upon what point?" wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the the matter?" entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "A confidential servant?" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being better in every way that they should make their position a little Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to III. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press nonsense.' permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "I never have." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste next day. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask assist you in forming an opinion." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did direction." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked have I gained?" a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside over part of the map. "What do you read?" We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Indeed! Whose, then?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood and the church but not where the lady lived." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible My friend smiled. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "The rest you will leave in our hands." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced which it had come upon my father." what I may call a really hard day's work." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to of." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Here?" the coronet in his hand?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect fatally injured? five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of one's self under obligations.' "Yes." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural fact, we may call it conclusive." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he This is what he says: to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Yes." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our locked. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "It is no ordinary one." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "And why?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger mysterious end." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army,