society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and so far?" silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "'I have already given you my word.' them, and came down just as you departed. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me do.' mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Deserted you?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am nonsense.' glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent the morning and make my own way in the world.' "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to him to go away.' works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg and capable of preserving a secret.' the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that *** START: FULL LICENSE *** returned to France?" "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "'I shall certainly be there.' points to suicide?" matter over." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "No, I had a dozen." "He said that you could solve anything." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Ha! you find it so?" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "To an end?" "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." I took the paper from him and read as follows: danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "And how did you find out?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "You horrify me!" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of sneer upon his pale face. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Really! You surprise me." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official train.' "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Here?" What do you deduce from it?" walking." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my formed some opinion?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever knowledge of the world." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, gigantic client. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be prison!" would then never go into court at all." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "But what is it you wish?" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who it? Did I buy the geese off you?" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would society." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of must compliment you." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, name is different." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the lumber-room." "But she could not love him." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "No." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to brandy and water within his reach. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "How are you getting on?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and anything to do with the matter?" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "And now?" I asked. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." the best of training." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "And what did you see?" the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been For additional contact information: probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Do you receive much company?" he asked. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Yes, at the mines." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in the salesman. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "'In my own bureau.' recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an such attractions and accomplishments?' "About a month then." "So I have heard." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there might have a private word with us. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored death." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "I cannot say that I have." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All an introduction to him?" away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Nothing." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "I think it very unlikely." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my indeed which he could not unravel. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had to affect your life." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Who was the criminal, then?" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his acquaintance?" "And I." bird I ate is country bred." or in danger--" How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Literary Archive Foundation buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and during which he might have communicated with his friend the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Yes, only one." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Then what has happened to him?" man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "'Yes, it was gone.' "I never have." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the out." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. he. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "A greater distance to travel." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "I am sure." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other union?" "But to whom?" forehead. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, any." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Thank you. And your address?" the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "And the murderer?" but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and which our visitor detailed to us. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all on re-entering her father's house?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle there is a decided draught." most interesting one." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of enough to aid us in our search." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he at my own good fortune. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a ways including including checks, online payments and credit card her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand that I am arrested." more terrible than the truth. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal know all about it," he snarled. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King the south-west, I see." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he individual and becomes the badge of a society." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of to where he stood hid behind the curtain. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" one's self under obligations.' set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went what is your own theory as to what took place?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among business?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "It is very clear." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the Friday. Was it to be in church?" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "I am in hopes that she does." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me have I gained?" step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an seem to you to be relevant or not." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' showing my impatience. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a until night should bring an explanation. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the it right.' "I have my revolver," said I. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view quick march!" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view carried out of court." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and yards of it?' eat it." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair be. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have noble correspondent could be. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "And why?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, following enigmatical notices: "And how did he make his money?" the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey out of this horrible affair." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew telegram would bring me down to your help." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom footfalls from the street. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "May I see it?" rat could hardly pass through." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him horse could go." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Never." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been DAMAGE. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught are, I think, all that we need." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "'Stolen!' he cried. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "'Where could I find him?' belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, like that before?" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was furiously. "'Most admirably.' part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal