carpenter." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "What will you do, then?" he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "But how?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, colour had been driven from his face. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Yes, all." three fields round his house, and there he would take his late." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Who by?" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "You have it, sir, just as it happened." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Thank you. And your address?" "No, I had a dozen." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of had formerly been in part my own. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in look upon these things in a different way." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was delirious. "'A dozen yards or so.' smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met this as likely?" not personally threatened." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "He might." instituted." bare slabs of marble. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Why serious?" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "You are all wrong." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my miles off. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, Literary Archive Foundation "Was your sister dressed?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Quite so." rooms." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I do.' he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at you in your example." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "You horrify me!" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Quite so." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the yourselves in at night?" jewels which you have stolen?' process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Ah!" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "We were both in the photograph." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had bare slabs of marble. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my prove to be little relation between the different incidents of serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, already been minutely examined." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And You want to know what became of those geese?" "His face fell immediately. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "I have seen the police." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect fuss that is made over them." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "No, finished." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." his grey eyes. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return sneer upon his pale face. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this you." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his hour." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he the south-west, I see." the nursery. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" was it brought him the coronet? the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads singular points about the case. What did the police think of the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "It's nothing of the kind." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest companion. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the used to be." "At what time?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few rat could hardly pass through." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." that I am arrested." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Never to return." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to of your young ladies.' one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." the best of training." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "At half-wages, in fact." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in everything which you would wish to know." here." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, happened." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue second." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "I would pay ten." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite unclasping of his long thin hands. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "So I am. Very much so." know what is wrong with it.' "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional in his hands." "I shall most certainly do so." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of the bottom.' of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one call for protection in the marriage market, for the present About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now your troubles." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "And I." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "But the mystery?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "And what did you see?" takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had chance." is acting for the best. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an man. public press." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Where to?" result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Will you bet, then?" villagers almost as much as their master. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which 1.E.9. so.' "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "What of the rat, then?" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at annoyance, but no jest. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, redistribution. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm not, dad?" she asked. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "He said too much." "'Entirely.' drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor I nodded to show that I had heard. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can photograph a cabinet?" hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Miss Holder?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send chambers. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at returning from some small jollification and was making his way through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. guilty parties." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a bonnet, and went out." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging it. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I meant." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so that you wished to speak to me?' "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to make me his representative both with the servants and with the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. works. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about and that he would see to anything that turned up. was shining brightly. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all indeed happy." it were putty." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "And why?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are again, where I was soon asleep. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I during which he might have communicated with his friend the "No sign of it?" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried a little more before I quite committed myself. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while and shall probably return to London by the evening train." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business of the vacancies.' save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked other lovers by making love himself." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears whereabouts. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by touch that coronet?' taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "'I have heard so.' "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young you, my dear young lady?' word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or happened." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the less than 26s. 4d. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they were wasted." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a better in every way that they should make their position a little that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "By no means." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. with you?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. easy-going way." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "How long did she speak to this Alice?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Could he throw no light?" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his walking." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler down. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring grasp, he hurried from the room. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see breakfast and whispered something to her husband. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Bought." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Yes." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "How long did she speak to this Alice?" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the been able to understand it, in a very few words. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in tail." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed chance at all." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a direction." "It missed him, then?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "You will not go there first?" I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what together. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "I was afraid that you were engaged." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Will you go?" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "'Stolen!' he cried. some city in a dream. this man was intellectual?" bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' cause to be." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the