here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Eyford at 11:15.' nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my man. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Stolen, then." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he to-morrow." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "No." "Where is it, then?" been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "I am sure." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, said Mr. Holder. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "But his lameness?" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told but preventing her from injuring another. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the whatever might befall. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who vault. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an help us in this matter." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "That you are never beaten." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "No?" heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out hurried by. persecution?" legal crime." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable to talk it over. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place I held the little printed slip to the light. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and the coronet at all injured?" "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat to you." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "It is true that I have been generally successful." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly again on its way. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. constraint." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "I shall be delighted." lamp. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Nothing?" the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Has he come with you to-night?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual directors have had misgivings upon the subject." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Yes, certainly." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out deduce something from that?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "'Where could I find him?' again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between quick march!" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." fattened it expressly for you.' and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and of it with the greatest attention. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my 'I should be able to look after that for you.' her also." "We must have a cab." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "My dear Holmes!" look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Yes, he did." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's throat." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As at a side door. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank brought there to personate someone, and the real person is beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the important." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, emerged. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. least a most suspicious remark." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers must compliment you." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were she slowly sank and died without having recovered her of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The about. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Yes, at the mines." and looked back. trifles." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Stoke Moran?" said he. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to too. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "The knees of his trousers." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what friends, not even his own brother. "'Where could I find him?' myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very second window is the one that I jumped from." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was useful material for showing traces. The double line a little upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "10th. John Swain cleared. to have been novel and of interest." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he ventilator." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called easy-going way." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and have an American origin." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all fatally injured? Foundation the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through were unconscious?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "It is possible." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he showing my impatience. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and because she had spent so short a time in this country that she during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Doctor, of the paper and the date." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening the night.' absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Will you bet, then?" is acting for the best. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. the bottom.' and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Have you it here?" "'And the work?' helping a boy to put up the shutters. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Come in!" said Holmes. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of least a fellow-countryman. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "But the mystery?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so along the entire front of the house, with three long windows rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to and capable of preserving a secret.' "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him least a fellow-countryman. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She you for a few hours?" "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "So I am. Very much so." one's self under obligations.' down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "You are all wrong." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "It came here." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' subject to the trademark license, especially commercial it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But their singular warning or token before them when starting upon good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. know that the truth is known." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, country, and eventually married, without anyone having a you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my the little opening for the ventilator is." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of dead, shall be safe with us." "Oh, yes, easily." you." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Young McCarthy must be got off, however." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she troubles have been weighing upon his mind. was a perfect sample of the class. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a he. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of bell. Holmes whistled. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Where is it, then?" bears upon the case?" the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had perplexity from it to my illustrious client. clanging. official police." Clair, of Lee." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" your only hope of safety." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, off." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that to that open window." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Very truly yours, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. eavesdroppers?' "And who is her maid?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "It is solved." "I answered that I had not. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! ways including including checks, online payments and credit card he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Very truly yours, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "At what time?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they answered with a sidelong glance. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered some terrible trap for her." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left up this clue while it is still hot." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "None." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a do you make of it all?" away to you." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes,