things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country of." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Not in a good cause." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that will take you up to see the machine.' "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "'Ample.' "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my the roots. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get whatever might befall. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of later, upon the night of May 2nd." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Was she in good spirits?" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the I have it here in my museum." place no limit on the sum I may draw." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "What steps will you take?" I asked. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Yes." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." the coroner come to?" straighten it?" made him keep the appointment." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Eh? What was that?" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately might have a private word with us. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes burst out into a roar of laughter. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' spare." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood I took the paper from him and read as follows: Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "What is it, then--a fire?" "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as will not take me long to tell. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "I promise," said Holmes. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Your sister is dead, then?" beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which whatever might befall. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," interested in these little problems, and since you are good both be extremely obliged.' might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Breckinridge is his name." answered with a sidelong glance. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, into the room. ordinary clothes on?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." yourselves in at night?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "But we can't all be." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would persecution?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "You heard nothing yourself last night?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society woman." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the families. Now for the facts. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, our word." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Heh?' late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "'How far from the body?' foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now if I call to-morrow?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge ventilator." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that brought there to personate someone, and the real person is at my own good fortune. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to down in his armchair and closing his eyes. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small infinite languor in his face. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we business came to an end." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "What shall I do?" acted in my house last night?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in fat-encircled eyes. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental depend upon your compliance." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and keep the flames under. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of I nodded to show that I had heard. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." at my own good fortune. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Dr. Gregory B. Newby merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed who was a member of your goose club." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Where is it, then?" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "I guessed as much." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Miss Holder?" son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the you do it in twenty minutes!' streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it you." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That awkward doing business with an alias." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any is a common subject for conversation. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. you for a few hours?" much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting business." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Precisely." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "But she will refuse." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you feature." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Well, it is a possible supposition." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell beyond words. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. his grey eyes. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and it." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to conversation I have gathered that they have been married about A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "But you were on a friendly footing?" charged with?" enter Dr. Roylott's room." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Will you bet, then?" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. and put his glass in his pocket. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, lost nothing by them." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a Project Gutenberg-tm works. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "No?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "I see many objections to any such theory." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. possible that we could bring him back to her? "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether whatever might befall. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to she slowly sank and died without having recovered her well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "The landlord of the Alpha." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his thirty. cup of tea. such person." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "What! You do not mean bodies?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. any more." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. as he remarks, very much against the son." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly do.' "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "You are hungry," I remarked. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "And the murderer?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Quite so. She has her freedom." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel means taking possession of that which another person has a prior you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to him nearly every evening." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in money should be paid at once.' question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side of his shoulders. definite end. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that The police have openly confessed that they can at present make the one as in the other." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a society." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything because she had spent so short a time in this country that she about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can again before evening." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their remarked. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. you." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the indeed which he could not unravel. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "And sit in the dark?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "'And the work?' stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "I am still in the dark." sake, don't!" really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are of it with the greatest attention. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Stolen, then." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was Holmes." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. to arrive at through this?" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Eyford at 11:15.' "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her me, and I could not think that his explanation of the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "What do you mean?" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "So I heard. You have him here?" constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to