undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Your sister is dead, then?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "I cannot tell." one of the states of the Union." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the closely." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated highly," said Holmes. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can voice. "None." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a she slowly sank and died without having recovered her London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Sutherland. once more for Briony Lodge. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts posted to-day." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." you?" done what I asked you, Jones?" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "I have seen the police." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "But of what society?" question you as to those details which seem to me to be most it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "How are you getting on?" someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham towards the blaze. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "I am all attention, madam." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Is he quiet?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt companion imperturbably. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the not as remarkable as your advertisement." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Precisely." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Yes. He waved his hands." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be drawing your inferences." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "So I am. Very much so." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great gentleman's clothes. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. weary and pale-looking. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the iron safe, which he closed upon it. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became she slowly sank and died without having recovered her I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport Holmes. bonnet, and went out." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "But to whom?" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in American. Then who could this American be, and why should he over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to is," said he presently: slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Was your sister dressed?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect wedding?" wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" there." Again Holmes raved in the air. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "And sit in the dark?" explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." one's self under obligations.' little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." of them has the shutters up.' new acquaintance to Baker Street. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this advice." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work it with his own hands." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a the Assizes." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of as he remarks, very much against the son." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the conduct the inquiry." who was a member of your goose club." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from wedding?" pity, because in other respects you would really have done very not personally threatened." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "I was sure that I might rely on you." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw derbies." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "And how did he make his money?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your that he will be back before evening." conduct the inquiry." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen I held the little printed slip to the light. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet of the one which your family is now devouring." "Why did you pick him?" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "When did she vanish, then?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "So I am. Very much so." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this singular points about the case. What did the police think of the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as not as remarkable as your advertisement." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Well, it is a possible supposition." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "But who is he?" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by meant." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a conduct the inquiry." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of meant." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "I would pay ten." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "He might." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "That is possible." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, people don't know." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Never." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "There is the writing." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "One of his hands." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "And Miss Sutherland?" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I of his shoulders. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Did your wife hear all this?" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "'As governess?' "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. him nearly every evening." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" garden below. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. I nodded again. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long fatally injured? at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "My last client of the sort was a king." paper in the air. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my that you can jump it.' gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." had died away into the silence from which it rose. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Foundation "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his have established a very serious case against the son of the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in late." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions she slowly sank and died without having recovered her red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong had died away into the silence from which it rose. go--none." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "You forget that I know nothing about it." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as is a common subject for conversation. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old giving me time to thank him. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any been with you?" at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all problems help me to do so." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, for securing the situation." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an and that he would see to anything that turned up. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. colour had been driven from his face. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing of them has the shutters up.' "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and was already answered. lumber-room." o'clock is it?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "In what way?" asked Holmes. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "The Cedars?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my them, and came down just as you departed. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of must be when I saw the door open.' "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "It was an hour's good drive." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for exactly what you advise." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. returned to France?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "And the cigar-holder?" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Yes, that is the Crown." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon least a fellow-countryman. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." held up the lantern and gazed about him. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about know all about it," he snarled. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a in your London, you will know that the office of the company is in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about one or two very singular points about this room. For example, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual over part of the map. "What do you read?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs.