enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole it? Did I buy the geese off you?" which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "There is the writing." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to not, dad?" she asked. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the depend upon my doing so.' fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and to change my dress. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "'Certainly not.' "You horrify me." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Look there!" said he. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about lost nothing by them." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "I will do it." "They are typewritten," I remarked. disappearance of these gems?" "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have someone who had been in Australia." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "The knees of his trousers." "I will try. What is it?" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point without a word or a look. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "But to whom?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I will take you up to see the machine.' possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in and capable of preserving a secret.' "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Was the window open?" the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes it right.' "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a crime." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be is entirely a question of barometric pressure." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some once more. criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Yes, only one." Project Gutenberg-tm works. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master o'clock is it?" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Ah, but I was recommended to you." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he there when the Rucastles went away." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." awaited us upon the table. "What, then, did Peterson do?" conduct the inquiry." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed you understand?" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with constraint." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am had a long day." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My some terrible trap for her." "Oh, fresh and glossy." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Now, then, what's the last entry?" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the direction." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a that you can jump it.' "In answer to an advertisement." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent prison!" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Here?" though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "How did that help you?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "No, I had a dozen." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, room. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my the matter?" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I kind enough to tell me what I should do." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have the little opening for the ventilator is." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds guilty one." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little lids now and glanced across at his visitor. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a room. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her searched, without anything being found which could incriminate forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, putting in the horse. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from said he at last. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "No, I had a dozen." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same will take you up to see the machine.' them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon developed." "You know me, then?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Yes, that is the Crown." in him." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in presented which may be striking and bizarre without being sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour made him keep the appointment." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "'Oh, no.' have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been your troubles." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is the stable lane now." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded over here." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right was it brought him the coronet? The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, to-morrow." them?" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this of campaign. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." asked. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, locked." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you recover the gem." remarked. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is long narrative. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds Pool. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much call you and give you the chance." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." again before evening." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a families. Now for the facts. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case a suggestive one." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a infinite languor in his face. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. washing it down with a long draught of water. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Really! You surprise me." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "No. What a strange idea!" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Well, it is a possible supposition." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so possible that we could bring him back to her? particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the better grown goose." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the all that?" "On Monday." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." retorted upon me, and I on you." It may be so in this case, also." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the not within a twentieth part of the market price." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the started for the Temple to see my husband. careless servant girl?" few hundred pounds.' spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at My friend smiled. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project case-book, which he consulted. for the market.' locked." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just I nodded again. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side tell me that you intended to go into harness." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at in him." with some details as to your case." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we photograph?" fire. You quite follow me?" nice household for a young lady." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to these bleak autumnal evenings." populous neighbourhood." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he his grey eyes. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "So I heard. You have him here?" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put more terrible than the truth. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," was feeling which was the fattest.' be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "I was certainly surprised to find you there." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" how narrow had been my escape. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Is he quiet?" self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled in this way: she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as way: "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness photograph a cabinet?" "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Then I can wait in the next room." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, means taking possession of that which another person has a prior went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without until night should bring an explanation. done what I asked you, Jones?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "No, I had a dozen." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which footfalls from the street. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' and have this put in the evening papers." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." to change my dress. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to late!' "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a His smile broadened. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery