"Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Nothing?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to remarked. crime. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have strength." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used be best to do. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put your bag." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or my little problems." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, Mary, has deserted me." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the who was a member of your goose club." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed subject to the trademark license, especially commercial devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can go from here to the Strand." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by disappearance of these gems?" his grey eyes. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "What of the rat, then?" have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to once more for Briony Lodge. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, your Highness to the police-station?" at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Dr. Becher's." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the some water from a caraffe. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Holmes' room. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "'No, I know no one in these parts.' However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the the coroner come to?" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "It was an hour's good drive." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter key turn in the lock." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." both be extremely obliged.' "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled the warnings." shaken than I had ever seen him. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the like gravel from a pit.' very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of noble correspondent could be. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. that, and I came down." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "And from a noble client?" Pope's Court. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and there were one or two details which were new to me. But the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Have you it here?" more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it you." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "No." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my did not hear it also.' with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story believe that I should never have any practice at all. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate it." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate This is what he says: misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the them?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "I was sure that I might rely on you." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Eh? What was that?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Won't it ring?" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle with the outside air!" the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news happened." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable threw himself down with his face to the pillow. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want upon a handsome competence. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. them, and came down just as you departed. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "The Coroner: What do you mean? the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "If so, much may have happened between." "That sounds a little paradoxical." habit of advancing money.' were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more eavesdroppers?' this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "To ruin me." was a loud and authoritative tap. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. asked with his eyes open. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. sneer upon his pale face. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." as he folded up the epistle. was it brought him the coronet? woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "That is possible." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his certainly do as you advise." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United anything to do with the matter?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the night.' said he. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "No, distinctly professional." "A call for help, you thought?" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "I cannot think." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for as he remarks, very much against the son." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! was a perfect sample of the class. definite end. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "No, thank goodness, she did not." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his room. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but for its centre. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, hurried by. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Never." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "No bad?" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has outbreak?" together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece be.' undoubtedly my uncle's." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid bell. Holmes whistled. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." so far?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. down. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said and inquire as to the address." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather congenial hunt. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a even so self-evident a thing as that." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "'There is a drive, then?' you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is money should be paid at once.' little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. that I am arrested." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission she to prove their authenticity?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a jewels which you have stolen?' "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the guilty one." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William row." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in any little problem which you may submit to me." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to purpose equally well?" "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, License. You must require such a user to return or earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two acted in my house last night?" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then breakfast." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "How often?" at home. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that some place of shelter and let the county police know what has we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "'You doubt its value?' he asked. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Pool. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "No, I think that I'll take it." our word." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an should be so warm over such a trifle." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: all that?" rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of like gravel from a pit.' animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the might have a private word with us. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very place no limit on the sum I may draw." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house least a fellow-countryman. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Pray be precise as to details," said he. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Then I can wait in the next room." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock newspaper selections." "'Ten to two.' in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to business matters.' I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "I am armed." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, and I shall be with you presently." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "And your mother is alive?" "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton threw himself down with his face to the pillow. derbies." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own see a sister of mine apply for." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will later, upon the night of May 2nd." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same had no one to advise her at such a crisis." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough points to suicide?" the coronet at all injured?" anything to a woman, for she would have her way." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Stolen." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Entirely." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "No sign of it?" digesting their breakfasts at home." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in imbecility!" he cried. again." "Witness: Nothing definite. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "I cannot imagine." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose strode off upon his way. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "But who is he?" the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned sooner or later she must fall a victim. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "No." people don't know." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature