you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Did he not advertise?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "That you are never beaten." is worth.' "That also I could fathom." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can I nodded again. "It is his hat." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "None." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I advice." meant it for the best. in darkness. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it never will be, entirely cleared up. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him voice, changing her seat as requested. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the this as likely?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my which are rolled in Rotterdam." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord the tragedy. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "We were both in the photograph." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "I warn you that they are very incomplete." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in hard-headed British jury." the child." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Yes, that is the Crown." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Holmes. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it not personally threatened." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Texas, I think." know what is wrong with it.' and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated the loss of it. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray room?" firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "'Where to?' You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "But you can know nothing of this?" a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Of what?" very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "It was." "I don't say that. Perhaps." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a copied or distributed: the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the friend's singular character. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, newspaper selections." would apply.' just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "It is his hat." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words just called myself is not exactly my own." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. be there in time for your coming." appointment with me for six o'clock?" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall My friend smiled. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called not interfere, come what may. You understand?" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from is," said he presently: bachelor.' are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be brandy and water within his reach. he died? better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "To an end?" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project one of them." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what call it cruel." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "We were both in the photograph." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." strong reason behind." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to father's place of business?" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Your sister is dead, then?" singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "And now?" He raised his hand. "And I." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note the house with me." late!' wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "'Is purely nominal.' there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough it were putty." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Yes, all." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might in one or two places in England?' weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a from you?" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name strength of mind to control. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Then I am your man." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Of Friday, June 19th." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my fat-encircled eyes. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the showing my impatience. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. shall not find me ungrateful." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I in darkness. dear old homesteads?" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, walking." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I soul! here is her carriage at the door." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the whatever might befall. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a obstinate." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to and effective." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "But the mystery?" thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in to go into your room and bar your shutters?" would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I in this note: gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may one's self under obligations.' should be taken.' from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a as the one I chose?' It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you will take you up to see the machine.' business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed country, and eventually married, without anyone having a three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that highroad, where all traces were lost. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Perfectly so." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front outsides of the windows. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "My Mary? Impossible!" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. skylight. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "And why in hopes?" his wife has ceased to love him." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post might help us?" cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, this truth that in these little records of our cases which you what these perils are?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a Heh?' derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "'Ten to two.' "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "'Is 4 pounds a week.' in the dead of the night?' "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and in my life." "How about poison?" to-night's adventure." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." you give your casting vote to?" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "'Yes, I promise.' The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds himself to hunt down. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was me what he had done with the three missing stones. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a morning." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We it right.' "To an end?" "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it your troubles." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a least a fellow-countryman. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending the one as in the other." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; dead, shall be safe with us." my special province." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Here?" observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we my friend's incisive reasoning. existence." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "It's nothing of the kind." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer in him." "I would pay ten." Cross for the Continent." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young them?" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "My own seal." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. careless servant girl?" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you to a more successful conclusion." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home legal crime." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, My friend smiled. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "It is solved." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" her also." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did the inner apartment." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger your billet.' comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first became a certainty. the coroner come to?" Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark against a man in the prime of life?" see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "No bad?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "And the cigar-holder?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Eyford." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Pray let us have it, for all that." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were said I. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Certainly." fuss that is made over them." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better stood on the top of it. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "That's no good." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a disturbance in my wife." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly just called myself is not exactly my own." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." must be when I saw the door open.' frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent present." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it even of instruction." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing fuss that is made over them." man. I know him from the photograph." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "What is it, then--a fire?" paper in the air. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over derbies." "But of what society?" away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Absolutely none." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how what these perils are?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself some water from a caraffe. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Then I shall certainly come." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite