in the port of London." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "May I see it?" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." wanted for ourselves." "Yes, certainly." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Doctor, of the paper and the date." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "'Never.' "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into there." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of that you can jump it.' country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "But your client--" flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly the room while you explain this matter?" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an companion quietly. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then redistribution. where we are going." the date of his supposed suicide." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by written, and locked the door of the office after me. "What!" he roared. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom and it need not interfere very much with one's other companion. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "What of the rat, then?" of this gang." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here least a fellow-countryman. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "No?" anything to do with the matter?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "I have seen the police." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "The King of Scandinavia." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "And how?" that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Imitated." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "'Yes.' after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much in one or two places in England?' one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for with her." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under fattened it expressly for you.' acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." were unconscious?" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric the King without delay." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. brain must have something in it." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid The note was undated, and without either signature or address. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in the Friday. Was it to be in church?" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another orange pips. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was criminal. We have already had experience of such." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the tied." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the four million human beings all jostling each other within the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "I do." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Yes, it would be as well." "Quite so. She has her freedom." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white my friend's incisive reasoning. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My have accepted such a situation. "None." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Holmes, the busybody!" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet stalked out of the room. "My private note-paper." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "One of his hands." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a I leave." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "How do you know, then?" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" suddenly upon us." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him letters?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss the side-table." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This in one or two places in England?' go back?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "I think it very unlikely." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind least a fellow-countryman. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have awkward doing business with an alias." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "What can you not understand?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "And you thought he was pulled back?" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, once more for Briony Lodge. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "When did she vanish, then?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was the so-precious time, but come!' not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and where Mr. Fordham shows you.' the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Never." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which individual and becomes the badge of a society." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must writers could invent nothing more crude." over here." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "One of his hands." certainly not very gracious." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door one or two very singular points about this room. For example, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." arrested. You then--" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged down. everything which you would wish to know." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "How on earth--" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' hand, madam?" "Who was the criminal, then?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "That you are never beaten." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, never came back." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by there in twenty minutes." "It is half-past ten now." what these perils are?" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to During two years I have had three consultations and one small honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." in this way: my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "I think it very unlikely." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Then you may entirely rely on me." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his ran thus: himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not fear." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for the bed, and you in that chair." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. main points of my analysis." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "And why in hopes?" air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set could not have written that. It is the German who is so c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." out of this horrible affair." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously certainly do as you advise." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just that there was nothing in it, after all." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began in the port of London." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be indiscretion." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. followed. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the breakfast." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "A confidential servant?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and he. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. highroad, where all traces were lost. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the over here." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Was the window open?" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the with frightened eyes at his accuser. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. never to learn it at all." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "What?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Lee, in the county of Kent." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Thank you. Pray proceed." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "No. His orders were to stay in the house." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps him to go away.' sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. just ask you whether you had heard it.' sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, carriage. It was a chestnut." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' that from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "By train from Waterloo." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "'As governess?' frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a becomes even more simple." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, but preventing her from injuring another. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "He disappeared so suddenly." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. about here speaks of his kindness to him." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry I nodded again. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "What!" he roared. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which Lestrade of Scotland Yard." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of that I am arrested." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during ago." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." at my own good fortune. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Watson," he said cordially. 'please.'" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "How did you trace it, then?" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still bird of prey.