things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." manager. "Was there a secret marriage?" my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Holmes, the busybody!" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came question," said Holmes, smiling. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading companion. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "I see many objections to any such theory." populous neighbourhood." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to there." "'There is a drive, then?' "No more words. Get out!" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." narrative." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark be.' contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's the King without delay." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." of Mr. Rucastle's." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between some place of shelter and let the county police know what has a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Two days later this same performance was gone through under a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room hurried away. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to furiously. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "What I expected to see." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable it? Did I buy the geese off you?" loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "'Yes, it was gone.' "Game for a morning drive?" "I cannot imagine." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." of the one which your family is now devouring." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Of Friday, June 19th." Mrs. Toller serenely. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall upon the sideboard." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the ordinary clothes on?" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom said he. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. fled together." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Pray let us have it, for all that." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of call it cruel." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "I think that I had better go, Holmes." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can were new raised from a basin. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason I shall communicate with you." electronic works "On the contrary, this is the right side." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he throat." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of cigars in their mouths. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my subject to the trademark license, especially commercial another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Get out!" said he. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, fasten all the windows?" the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional some terrible trap for her." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "That also I could fathom." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. be sorry for having acted so harshly." a good hundred miles off by now." here." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed ceremony." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very society." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Street. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "But to whom?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we little adventures." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! to a light-house. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed place of silver." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Who was the criminal, then?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a but preventing her from injuring another. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace pound a week." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "What shall I do?" the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" had picked up in the wood. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "How long did she speak to this Alice?" observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent seven miles from Eyford Station.' amused." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "'Yes, I promise.' daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "My photograph." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "But you can know nothing of this?" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "The vanishing of the lady." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders system of imprisonment?" "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Ha! you find it so?" There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector possible that we could bring him back to her? happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, village inn over there?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "She walked into the breakfast-room." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Clair, of Lee." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action it right.' you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector III. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those place no limit on the sum I may draw." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "It must be recovered." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I it." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful easy-going way." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "What! You do not mean bodies?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, was once confined in the cab my mission was practically when you have done it." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a there." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Quite so." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "It certainly sounds feasible." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "We must have a cab." is four-and-twenty." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "'In my own bureau.' creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "But what will you do?" "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his other means.' Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of was a loud and authoritative tap. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a go from here to the Strand." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been British peeress.'" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but corner of the building. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Then how many are there?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from our word." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon even so self-evident a thing as that." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "No, finished." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "'No, I know no one in these parts.' very old mansion. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems subject to the trademark license, especially commercial and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some arrested. You then--" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "You don't mind breaking the law?" remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Very murderous indeed." closely." notes," he said. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten into her hand at the door and which lured her within their fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling the coronet at all injured?" "And Irene Adler?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the wall." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "I don't believe it." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." tell them apart.' Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will shaken than I had ever seen him. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official yards of it?' "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been works. See paragraph 1.E below. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. have had none more fantastic than this." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any promised to bring home. "Deserted you?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the nursery. against a man in the prime of life?" "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah himself to hunt down. "I know where it is." there in twenty minutes." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked frequently gained my first real insight into the character of this man was intellectual?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Yes, the wine-cellar." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to jewels which you have stolen?' he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Pray let us have it, for all that." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "This photograph!" "I was certainly surprised to find you there." a monotonous occupation." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' my secret was safe in his possession. went to the Alpha were town bred." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "'Yes, it was gone.' ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight stalked out of the room. residence of the great financier. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Where, indeed?" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "'Where could I find him?' could not account in any way for the presence of the missing corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. as he folded up the epistle. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and such attractions and accomplishments?' "But she will refuse." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "I am following you closely," I answered. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the was used.' "What, then?" the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and