tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "How do you know, then?" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Ten will be early enough." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "9th. McCauley cleared. "It is very clear." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "I cannot imagine." that I can to serve you." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. you." "No." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger and shall probably return to London by the evening train." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "But what is it you wish?" the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home that there was nothing in it, after all." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on from you?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "How are you getting on?" hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "The doctor?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I politicians who had been sent down from the North. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his observed. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the himself in a perplexing position. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Do you receive much company?" he asked. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the you in yours." "And how have you succeeded?" walking." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The will not take me long to tell. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he business?" same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "No, distinctly professional." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have copied or distributed: will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to better in every way that they should make their position a little "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "None." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by disturbance in my wife." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with to that open window." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand taking in every detail of the apartment. "On your arm?" foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, swore that no one else had been in the front room during the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear chill to my heart. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a and a shock of very red hair. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, behind me. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Yes." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon coroner's jury." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was notes," he said. opened the door, and slipped through. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "We must have a cab." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem that?' face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Not I." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "You did not overhear what they said?" fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled not use it unless it is absolutely needed." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." reach." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon cause to be." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "In the cells." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "How did that help you?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible three fields round his house, and there he would take his felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "My stepfather's business papers." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous indeed happy." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of dead, shall be safe with us." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own it were putty." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of never will be, entirely cleared up. eavesdroppers?' have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "We must sit without light. He would see it through the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, like that before?" that you saw all that I did." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If shall use the carriage to-night." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Very murderous indeed." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, what I may call a really hard day's work." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, clanging. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the tragedy. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked six. Come in!" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "'Yes, I promise.' ordinary clothes on?" already referred to. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "'Certainly not.' ashen face. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I second window is the one that I jumped from." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez the child." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Where does the thing come from?' Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "I don't believe it." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Upon what point?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a it." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." Farm upon the left." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. name is different." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' gentleman's clothes. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have with frightened eyes at his accuser. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this dates and names. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more beyond words. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this yards of it?' if only as a check to my own memory." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Project Gutenberg-tm works. the Red-headed League." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly for and were ordered to this address. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Then, how do you know?" is four-and-twenty." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the only touch the interest." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "And how did he make his money?" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, asked. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and your most interesting statement." "From his hat?" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." depend upon your compliance." "No, I think that I'll take it." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the one else, I think." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, detective. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old interest. They are important, you understand, without being said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson Holmes' room. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly vault. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" keep the flames under. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Won't it ring?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "This photograph!" hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he the stones. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Doctor, of the paper and the date." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them instituted." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "And did you observe any change in her then?" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not the station." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to eavesdroppers?' blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as relation between them, and what the object of his repeated as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated him to go away.' "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" locked. the loss of it. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know bonnet, and went out." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Dark enough and sinister enough." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here experiences." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I it? Did I buy the geese off you?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "In answer to an advertisement." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he and wait." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that legal crime." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other lectures into a series of tales." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp closing the door. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. habit of advancing money.' question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, asked with his eyes open. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday article?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all points in connection with it which never have been, and probably down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional forbidden door. "No, distinctly professional." ceremony." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are are, and they are waiting for us." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have chill to my heart. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly to-morrow." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and minor matters until to-morrow." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both without a word or a look. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: was not a bird to be seen there. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my over here." companion. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that experiences." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic there were so many in the whole country as were brought together The note was undated, and without either signature or address. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be feature." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs.