had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "No, I think that I'll take it." are windows in it, of course?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first hair?' very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and was lame." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in to-night." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "No bad?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Absolutely none." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in despaired of." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "I am all attention, madam." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "What is it, then--a fire?" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "'In my own bureau.' feature." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the call for it in person on Monday morning.' did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "No." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. bonnet, and went out." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Were they all fastened this morning?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "That is possible." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks which are rolled in Rotterdam." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left them, and came down just as you departed. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a pity, because in other respects you would really have done very His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between direction." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for arms and began to sob in a high treble key. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Watson," he said cordially. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon cause to be." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my the driver. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the furiously. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot place of silver." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for would apply.' however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "It is very clear." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that was not a bird to be seen there. front of me. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you Mary, has deserted me." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. the best of training." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "And who is her maid?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from you." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; mystery." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little locked. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "No good news?" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. green of the new foliage. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "But I am all in the dark." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could your Highness to the police-station?" "And what then?" "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that business." definite end. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "He said that you could solve anything." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "BALLARAT." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "But the mystery?" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. and looked back. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of of the one which your family is now devouring." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On of receipt of the work. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have things are very often connected not with the larger but with the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "There is the writing." "I promise," said Holmes. morning." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she the matter?" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "An accident, I presume?" when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do case before our client came into the room." upon the white wrist. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "How did that help you?" knowledge of the world." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass the nursery. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Absolutely?" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little even of instruction." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given plantation.' do.' "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, about. bell. Holmes whistled. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Her father is very rich?" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. yourselves in at night?" dramatic, in fact." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he you understand?" dead, shall be safe with us." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is cost them two and thirty pounds." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "I should wish to." think, you have already met." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some to you." I took the paper from him and read as follows: relief. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" geese which you supplied to the Alpha." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Where did he live, then?" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every electronic works could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as address. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, maid will bring up your coffee." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "I cannot tell." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Never." clang of the bell. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all and the whole place is in a blaze." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on that he will be back before evening." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Heh?' as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to unkempt, staring out at me. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Yes." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was could gather together that I was able to avert another public throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been in his power. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter bell. Holmes whistled. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little awaited us upon the table. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek case-book, which he consulted. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "I don't say that. Perhaps." were wasted." acted in my house last night?" "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. murdered man." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, undoubtedly my uncle's." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "And you don't know his address?" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. bird of prey. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a if she died from some sudden fright." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" acquaintance?" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted true." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "You'll never persuade me to believe that." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is be. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was question. "And Irene Adler?" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an had formerly been in part my own. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of returning from some small jollification and was making his way will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "And from a noble client?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "But to whom?" one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Indeed! Whose, then?" a good hundred miles off by now." "Then I do not see the point." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and here." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just brought there to personate someone, and the real person is can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere most interesting one." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the was a perfect sample of the class. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Of what?" absorbing." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are there!' here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue companion quietly. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "A greater distance to travel." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "'I have already given you my word.' matter over." "Which are?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which papers diligently of late, have you not?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" golden eyeglasses. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. his knees, staring into the fire. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "He might." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Well?" introspective fashion. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Frequently." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite might have a private word with us. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in shaken than I had ever seen him. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap recover the gem." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "There is the writing." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Yes." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." are windows in it, of course?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the from you?" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "'Yes, I promise.' recall any case within my experience which looked at the first the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "And I say east," said my patient. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came at once, for I have only half an hour." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "'Not at all. I only doubt--' ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to This is what he says: hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond better grown goose." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen entirely lost his self-respect." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Game for a morning drive?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own chair. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was I held the little printed slip to the light. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no tapping his fingers upon the table. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his went to the Alpha were town bred." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal even so self-evident a thing as that." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the