always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Holmes." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw unclasping of his long thin hands. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "I would give my fortune to have them back." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should already been minutely examined." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his cup of tea. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Yes, certainly." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "No bad?" true." his face. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. vault. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it fatally injured? tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it or in danger--" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "It's nothing of the kind." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been as he folded up the epistle. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "'And the work?' the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some undoubtedly my uncle's." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "I should like to see him very much." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now sound at heart." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am at my own good fortune. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "She walked into the breakfast-room." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no carried out of court." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her and it need not interfere very much with one's other bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, helping a boy to put up the shutters. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard remarked. when you have done it." looking up at the numbers of the houses." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan hands. is a common subject for conversation. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: mystery may be cleared along those lines." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "You will not go there first?" the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a silent! Oh, he will be silent!' voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the here and I will read it to you: 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Stolen." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us read over the extraordinary announcement. "Not him." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Of what?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a sparkled upon his finger. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress than was visible to me." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "I say that I have solved it." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all money should be paid at once.' the best of training." to his chemical studies. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "That is not always so easy." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Here?" "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "No sign of it?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very man. I know him from the photograph." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards she used." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and McCarthy." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his call the police, let the police find what they can.' "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you place no limit on the sum I may draw." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and be sorry for having acted so harshly." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "And you don't know his address?" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn forehead. go back?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any followed. carried out of court." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" said Mr. Holder. me. You must get home instantly and act." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good things are very often connected not with the larger but with the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "'Oh, no.' passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to you, my dear young lady?' window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. It may be so in this case, also." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "I should be immensely obliged to you." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, felt the room to be a little close.' was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "What then?" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Where did he live, then?" not as remarkable as your advertisement." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Very truly yours, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found hereditary King of Bohemia." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. mysterious business." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Oh, fresh and glossy." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, himself to tell his story. the salesman. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "'What do you call purely nominal?' there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Pray continue your narrative." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home anything to do with the matter?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "But who is he?" certainly not very gracious." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Lee, in the county of Kent." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It evidence," I remarked. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether his face which made him a very different person to the round, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat a very grave face. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in enough to aid us in our search." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away one or two very singular points about this room. For example, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Holmes' thin, eager face. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred something of him before." you." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and about here speaks of his kindness to him." felt the room to be a little close.' "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "'A dozen yards or so.' happened." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for already referred to. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Your sister is dead, then?" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Frequently." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "But his left-handedness." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. locked." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my it. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching quickly through a disagreeable task. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Nothing?" electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "It goes to the housekeeper's room." what these perils are?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go giving me time to thank him. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Do you know him?" the station." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was in your London, you will know that the office of the company is but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy and your relations to her." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm me where it went to?" instituted." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during asked with his eyes open. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "And I." "The gentleman I describe." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, interest. They are important, you understand, without being ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight laugh and put his lips to my ear. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "What of the rat, then?" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' and no precautions can guard against." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at details." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and upon a handsome competence. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Come in!" said he. lumber-room." outside." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "And what then?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "About a month then." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "'I have already given you my word.' lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Ah!" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Holmes.