interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a ordinary clothes on?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible served to weaken the effect. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "'Yes, it was gone.' layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook mystery." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, my room." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little wall." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and point in the dark hollow of his hand. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Yes, I have one waiting." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was your only hope of safety." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such been deceived." name is different." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Why, it's a dummy," said he. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I her also." him, that man would not have given me such complete information hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "It is half-past ten now." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. envelope. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid You want to know what became of those geese?" Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "I don't say that. Perhaps." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Here?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I advice." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and is a common subject for conversation. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or wedding?" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "What do you mean?" "Your presence might be invaluable." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his beyond words. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the is acting for the best. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Yes, it was twisted." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Is he quiet?" slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, official police." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "It is his hat." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set away to you." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." closely." "I never have." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first tell them apart.' took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Certainly." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in the stable lane now." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in mystery." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was footfalls from the street. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his narrative." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will key turn in the lock." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of even of instruction." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if and wait." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. see a sister of mine apply for." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon ways of our fellow-men." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A key turn in the lock." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress chambers. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "But how could you guess what the motive was?" hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, lectures into a series of tales." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, and wait." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been clang of the bell. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a His name is Francis Prosper." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same returned to France?" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is province." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced my room." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "I came to find a friend." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I someone who had been in Australia." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." he bowed and left the room without another word. events, Mr. Windibank!" data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." you understand?" enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and went to the Alpha were town bred." returning from some small jollification and was making his way your bag." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "But how did you gain them?" "Not in the least." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. empty. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through opened the door, and slipped through. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "ARAT," I read. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a persecution?" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" have an American origin." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very that threaten you." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet became a certainty. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, felt?" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do or other trace. But how on earth--" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Yes." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "No bad?" "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." over part of the map. "What do you read?" learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to letters?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Did he not advertise?" to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I dramatic, in fact." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the cup of tea. "You know me, then?" owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Have you good authority for what you say?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the in his power. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "I shall most certainly do so." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Witness: It was. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An all?" matter." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' you, my dear young lady?' my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as out." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush footfalls from the street. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Nothing?" very peculiar words of the dying woman?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "No more words. Get out!" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose the King without delay." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can legal crime." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. and I shall be with you presently." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely yards of it?' "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but I have it here in my museum." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered was the fact that his father should, according to his account, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a best detective that ever lived. It may be so in this case, also." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he business matters.' disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest During two years I have had three consultations and one small "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." newspaper selections." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so hardly wander." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." where we are going." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had thirty. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Yes." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are more terrible than the truth. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "A client, then?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "By no means." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without round and wave him away like that.' dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey the running down." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." charge against him will break down." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "I cannot as yet see any connection." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom house for five minutes.' Chief Executive and Director brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third and laid it on the table. "Then how many are there?" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "By train from Waterloo."