determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, said Mr. Holder. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "By train from Waterloo." ashen face. remarked. "I think that it is very probable." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your of campaign. "It missed him, then?" many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. him, that man would not have given me such complete information would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the mystery may be cleared along those lines." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "And on what day did he meet his death?" "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Where did he live, then?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' children over to America with him, so that I found myself without when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that the station." for securing the situation." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's useful material for showing traces. The double line a little ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the to-night?' Project Gutenberg-tm works. "How did you deduce the select?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, room had already been engaged for us. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Was the window open?" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before remarked. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Does that suggest anything?" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he over part of the map. "What do you read?" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "'Oh, no.' that I may have something better before very many minutes are to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case the armchair which I pushed forward for him. him." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Precisely." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." You want to know what became of those geese?" quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, infinite languor in his face. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Ten will be early enough." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly one of the states of the Union." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment him, that man would not have given me such complete information head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and geese which you supplied to the Alpha." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel any." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my bed dies. Does not that strike you?" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or was a perfect sample of the class. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you with you?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, The police have openly confessed that they can at present make keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something your only hope of safety." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, yourselves in at night?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted breakfast." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." do you make of it all?" "But your client--" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was light and attacked it." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which and wait." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without we went to search for him, face downward in a little "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. retorted upon me, and I on you." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have night.' said he. "Upon what point?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "I cannot tell." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my business." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and him, that man would not have given me such complete information with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "'I have heard so.' I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the upon the sideboard." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each the inner apartment." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Clair, of Lee." salesman. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' writers could invent nothing more crude." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "You have compromised yourself seriously." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait colonel looking down at me. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. room?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For morning." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "'How far from the body?' Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "If I can be of use." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "He said that you could solve anything." "So I have heard." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, open." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in have accepted such a situation. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "So I am. Very much so." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "BALLARAT." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo the devil!" him!" ready to-morrow?' I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to less than 26s. 4d. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor bore every mark of being an average commonplace British they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "By no means." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "And did you observe any change in her then?" face and glided from the room. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Did you become engaged then?" Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. letters?" desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend felt the room to be a little close.' though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's call you and give you the chance." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism for and were ordered to this address. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "No, I am descending." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not tied." congratulate you again." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was status with the IRS. politicians who had been sent down from the North. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these papers diligently of late, have you not?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of feature." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to gone before you can get him to hospital." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "It is very clear." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, indeed which he could not unravel. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "But who is he?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are Mary, has deserted me." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful It may be so in this case, also." when your master had gone out." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "It was an hour's good drive." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "I was mad--insane." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's was a lad." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" think that he is innocent?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and and a shock of very red hair. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to that you saw all that I did." "And is that all?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will someone who had been in Australia." you in your example." it." "Then I can wait in the next room." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: secret." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Of what day?" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "'No, I know no one in these parts.' noting anything else of interest. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "What will you say?" Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of it." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. laugh and put his lips to my ear. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "But what will you do?" contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were woven round him. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "It was an hour's good drive." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "You have but to name it." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project him nearly every evening." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon London for the present?" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Then you may be so with me." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I there when the Rucastles went away." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by followed. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "In what way?" asked Holmes. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "You think that he is dead?" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." secret." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." might have a private word with us. III. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the and effective." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Then you may be so with me." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My impression behind it as though a window had gently closed who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done in the dead of the night?' back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been spark where all is dark to me." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money,