"Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the ready to-morrow?' have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been look upon these things in a different way." have I gained?" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but tassel actually lying upon the pillow. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and exactly what you advise." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "'Ample.' "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "And did you observe any change in her then?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I held up the lantern and gazed about him. to have that photograph." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So she used." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project and put his glass in his pocket. Again Holmes raved in the air. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "'And the work?' "I will get her to show me." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** young Openshaw's." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Very. But will he see it?" and laid it on the table. License. You must require such a user to return or evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a to miss it." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER vanished into the darkness. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, pierced for earrings?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "On Monday." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Imitated." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Did he not advertise?" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "'In my own bureau.' among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." forecastle of an emigrant ship. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of The note was undated, and without either signature or address. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked murdered man." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there better grown goose." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from written, and locked the door of the office after me. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a other lovers by making love himself." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "And your father? Did you tell him?" the room while you explain this matter?" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until some city in a dream. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our said he at last. photograph?" "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, this truth that in these little records of our cases which you Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "I do." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "'And the work?' ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! as the one I chose?' and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Very murderous indeed." "But how?" Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new retorted upon me, and I on you." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Was the window open?" "Yes." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I awaited us upon the table. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and morning." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on lost nothing by them." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Not in the least." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "You think that he is dead?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." address. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would points in connection with it which never have been, and probably him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "In heaven's name, what for?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "A confidential servant?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. have established a very serious case against the son of the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand me have 200 pounds?' man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has these bleak autumnal evenings." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards for the market.' wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done used to be." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She about here speaks of his kindness to him." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, the matter?" stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. money should be paid at once.' one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been fattened it expressly for you.' in your London, you will know that the office of the company is always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" and effective." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Was she in good spirits?" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from there when the Rucastles went away." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "And why?" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Entirely." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could have an American origin." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend of." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard go--none." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case enter Dr. Roylott's room." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you London for the present?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no once more for Briony Lodge. "But his left-handedness." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was such person." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned and wait." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Very well, sir. And this stone?" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we round and wave him away like that.' by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Who was the criminal, then?" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and the running down." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Then I shall certainly come." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "But how could you guess what the motive was?" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "My own seal." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow second window is the one that I jumped from." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he secret." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas could gather together that I was able to avert another public "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce strong and stiff." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you the coronet in his hands?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. held up the lantern and gazed about him. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me his huge brown hands. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, trying to your nerves." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, way in." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "But who is he?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of whereabouts. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman events, Mr. Windibank!" "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Yes." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but call you and give you the chance." Count Von Kramm." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" said I. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist to that open window." intrusion of other matters." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Yes." "Yes." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "What steps will you take?" I asked. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and the tragedy. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." case before our client came into the room." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent correct than the official force." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "No. What a strange idea!" "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken in this note: the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "What?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the respectable self." "You think so, too?" thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at wanted for ourselves." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after Arthur Conan Doyle receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "And why?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He any little problem which you may submit to me." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the seven miles from Eyford Station.' to some other building. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry intrusion of other matters." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few hurried away. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Is he quiet?" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "I should wish to." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat American. Then who could this American be, and why should he mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "How did you deduce the select?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to of the one which your family is now devouring." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary nights." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "The rest you will leave in our hands." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "He is dead," cried several voices. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the stable lane now." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very unprofitable." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, yet." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw formed some opinion?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can politicians who had been sent down from the North. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, and put his glass in his pocket. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a