hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" gone. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way delirious. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed gives a meaning to it." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "I am to be neutral?" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "'And the work?' during the last few years, and there are many noble families to paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Yes." himself to hunt down. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical future lives." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused murdered man." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "And what did you see?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in hurried by. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "'I have already given you my word.' her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "'A dozen yards or so.' "At what time?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "What, then, did Peterson do?" only touch the interest." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called that threaten you." your co-operation." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my not come at once?" deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the husband's writing, madam." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and three of the beryls in it, was missing. main points of my analysis." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to carpenter." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I bore every mark of being an average commonplace British halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real photograph?" The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at neither fascinating nor artistic." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." matter." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was It was close upon four before the door opened, and a standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the me. You must get home instantly and act." "In San Francisco, a year ago." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over grasp, he hurried from the room. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your mysterious end." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "And why?" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from woven round him. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I status with the IRS. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a morning." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the see a sister of mine apply for." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are again on its way. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. important." "Certainly." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "A client, then?" "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Edgeware Road. thought that she would have been so carried away." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp hereditary King of Bohemia." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," 1.F. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. key of the affair now." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." strong reason behind." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest pity, because in other respects you would really have done very followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must outside. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "I will get her to show me." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' The events in question occurred in the early days of my nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now formed some opinion?" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Perfectly so." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father think you a quite exceptional woman." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and business." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Countess of Morcar's?" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the approach us with offers to donate. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every danger is over." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to unprofitable." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, opportunities to fix the problem. been with you?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the system of imprisonment?" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his open." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "No, I think that I'll take it." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "That also I could fathom." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "No?" that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Yes, certainly." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Will you go?" "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall or in danger--" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he that he has suffered." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "I shall most certainly do so." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You was used.' steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," business matters.' even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say over with notes and figures. returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Yes." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. not fit the lock." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Have you her photograph?" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort to have been novel and of interest." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to lost nothing by them." to-night?" I asked. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "And how have you succeeded?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very new acquaintance to Baker Street. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place works. See paragraph 1.E below. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the absorbing." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with companion quietly. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Yes, only one." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the pictures, libraries, or plate. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "You are certainly joking, Holmes." upon the sideboard." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Clair, of Lee." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn least a fellow-countryman. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was of campaign. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I not use it unless it is absolutely needed." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "And you don't know his address?" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. thirty. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we populous neighbourhood." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she closely." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents away into the river." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she chambers. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her in him." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" nonsense.' only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an voice. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps felt the room to be a little close.' not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. gone before you can get him to hospital." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Frequently." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to call the police, let the police find what they can.' heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "It may not come to that," said Holmes. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "The best possible." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the experiences." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I someone who had been in Australia." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a promised to bring home. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. tension within him. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "The rest you will leave in our hands." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into to-night's adventure." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Come in!" said Holmes. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. lumber-room." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my that you saw all that I did." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no