"Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can within hail.' glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "That you are never beaten." cigars in their mouths. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in are, I think, all that we need." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There to miss it." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "My dear Holmes!" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. sofa. This way, please!" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "'Where could I find him?' red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban will find little credit to be gained out of this case." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "And the murderer?" perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "And now?" He raised his hand. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or might help us?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "It came here." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the you want, then?' cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "To the police?" the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between was a loud and authoritative tap. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We with her." was lame." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem himself. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, points in connection with it which never have been, and probably be there in time for your coming." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Then I am your man." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew most important business. It is probable that he will be away all door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that the one as in the other." "Bought." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles outside. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your eavesdroppers?' chance at all." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door his cane at the bell-pull. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us goes." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." be best to do. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not matter." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in people don't know." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Stolen." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my him to go away.' kindly on the shoulder. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "What shall I do?" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "She showed me, as I told you she would." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "I should like to see him very much." other means.' lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Then how many are there?" should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America young Openshaw's." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "There are none." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "What will you say?" straighten it?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "But of what society?" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Yes, from Horsham." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any This is what he says: hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated may never be exposed to such a temptation." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Will you go?" "Of Friday, June 19th." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Where, then?" "It is half-past ten now." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should very old mansion. morning." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "By no means." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him and the whole place is in a blaze." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then there in twenty minutes." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I was used.' upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Yes." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a your co-operation." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." you." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "No bad?" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it I shall communicate with you." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best noting anything else of interest. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a was a loud and authoritative tap. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you never came back." companion quietly. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while side. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell girl said." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to of the efforts of the United States government and of the better less than 26s. 4d. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have The King stared at him in amazement. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that sufficient punishment." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, interested in these little problems, and since you are good "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a against a man in the prime of life?" rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. awaited us upon the table. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you their singular warning or token before them when starting upon compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is drove away. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We prepare for the new role I have to play." burst out into a roar of laughter. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well residence of the great financier. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "'Tell me all about it,' said I. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "What I expected to see." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "What can it mean?" I gasped. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else door?" extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his guilty one." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Quite so." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "I shall be delighted." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and think, you have already met." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "'I am sure that I do not know.' are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, the best of training." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to attention." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "'I am sure if I had known--' gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "I shall most certainly do so." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for national property. I was determined that the law should have its man. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "And sit in the dark?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me Project Gutenberg-tm works. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under this as likely?" make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and it." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental individual and becomes the badge of a society." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "I am in hopes that she does." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that present." village inn over there?" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "But what harm can there be in that?" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an believe that I should never have any practice at all. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was cost them two and thirty pounds." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and respectable self." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the to-night." "I have hopes." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always wedding?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "And how did you find out?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Ample." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "I was mad--insane." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then again before evening." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite such attractions and accomplishments?' "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from over with notes and figures. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried reach." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "I have hopes." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the emerged. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "From his hat?" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, your only hope of safety." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on as yours." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never throat." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic not within a twentieth part of the market price." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "That also I could fathom." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over man. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." that I can to serve you." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Yes. He waved his hands." daring than any effort of the imagination." "And I." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "And what did you see?" "To the police?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the tied." hardly wander." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg hardly wander." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich politicians who had been sent down from the North. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." events than those which have happened in my own family." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense dear old homesteads?" future lives." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Certainly." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem here." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "And your mother is alive?"