mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and lost his Christmas dinner." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate fattened it expressly for you.' prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that whether it answered to the description of any of their "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "I have hopes." all-comprehensive glances. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" in him." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his the matter?" if only as a check to my own memory." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "'I shall certainly be there.' simple cases which are so extremely difficult." companion. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know eavesdroppers?' awaited us upon the table. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 eavesdroppers?' brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "I will not look." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Thank you. And your address?" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly upon the shelf for the interim." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a walking." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was lids now and glanced across at his visitor. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some questionable one." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "The gentleman I describe." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by useful material for showing traces. The double line a little little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to against a man in the prime of life?" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Stoke Moran?" said he. "I would give my fortune to have them back." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Come in!" said Holmes. married her." "But who is he?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. is so. I know all about McCarthy." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." discontent upon his features. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when comes from the middle window." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord ventilator." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters I approached. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This nothing with him." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone woman." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "My photograph." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated back into the street. good-night and bustled off upon her way. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of back to my heart. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried money should be paid at once.' brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable before the coroner and the police-court." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses matter over." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. to have that photograph." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in an introduction to him?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire better grown goose." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a my little problems." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "But I am all in the dark." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her see me here to avoid scandal." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg all-comprehensive glances. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her yet." happened." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, envelope. "Come in!" said Holmes. "And Miss Sutherland?" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and charged with?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. for securing the situation." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "You saw the ventilator, too?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "How many? I don't know." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Proceed, then." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "But she could not love him." not, dad?" she asked. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "'I have heard so.' charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Then I can wait in the next room." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. I think that I could be of assistance to you." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to off." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of burst out into a roar of laughter. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "What shall I do?" come either from the window or the door. My attention was Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client thin, with a long, sharp nose?" make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Do you receive much company?" he asked. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Why did you pick him?" "The murder was done with it." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "And how have you succeeded?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the only touch the interest." know all about it," he snarled. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our during that time.' "The best possible." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon evidence," I remarked. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "What is it?" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; in his power. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the already referred to. skylight. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "That was it, sir." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Why, what do you mean?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Have you it here?" vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of suddenly upon us." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to there was no need for father to know." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "And help." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "But we can't all be." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences 'please.'" "The Cedars?" one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "My private note-paper." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Yes." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one business." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in was keenly on my guard against him. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this your own bird, so if you wish--" front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case handed it to him. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a believe that I should never have any practice at all. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could could not have written that. It is the German who is so "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "But how?" "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread promised to bring home. of the way of danger. man. I know him from the photograph." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Then you may be so with me." do.' "Not I." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed a monotonous occupation." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Holmes' face clouded over. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Whose house is it?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "I fear not." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "So I heard. You have him here?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of furiously. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Very murderous indeed." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the any little problem which you may submit to me." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "None." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is his knees, staring into the fire. Leadenhall Street--and--" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Pool. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Project Gutenberg-tm works. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son some water from a caraffe. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for get her out of the way." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set kind enough to tell me what I should do." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the placed his cuttings. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Where, then?" she might be summoned. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact away to you." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "I came to find a friend." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly colour had been driven from his face. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in them?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the formed some opinion?" your troubles." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Pray tell us what has happened to you." and looked back. nights." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns passage and a tap at the door. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the trifles." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your hardly wander." my secret was safe in his possession. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his