"Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first kind enough to tell me what I should do." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. lost nothing by them." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation new acquaintance to Baker Street. "None." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Pool. "What! a murderous attack?" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "'Most admirably.' and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon The King stared at him in amazement. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have could go. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "And for present expenses?" peculiar to him. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." of a light. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at if only as a check to my own memory." had a long day." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the putting in the horse. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "My opinion is in no way altered." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "What steps will you take?" I asked. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See noting anything else of interest. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with redistribution. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. photograph?" and the church but not where the lady lived." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a him and tried to hold him back. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether enough to aid us in our search." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "No. His orders were to stay in the house." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Have you it here?" "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Literary Archive Foundation "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a a few minutes he said that it would be all right. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the and the church but not where the lady lived." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." your most interesting statement." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Really! You surprise me." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such plantation.' sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "'And the work?' "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor redistribution. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Then you may entirely rely on me." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "No legal papers or certificates?" "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual the window, rose as we entered. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no appeared upon the scene." my former friend and companion. I shall continue with my miserable story. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled It was close upon four before the door opened, and a estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his already been minutely examined." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to eat it." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of of a light. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. him to go away.' King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "How about poison?" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Come in!" said Holmes. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom shall not find me ungrateful." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite rooms." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "He might." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Nothing." is," said he presently: have accepted such a situation. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or have accepted such a situation. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot The telegram which we eventually received came late one night The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Quite so." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" papers must be those that are destroyed.' and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Gutenberg-tm License. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. not within a twentieth part of the market price." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have back alive. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I with you?" during that time.' "Of what day?" your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with definite end. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You question you as to those details which seem to me to be most much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the of receipt of the work. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout as the one I chose?' arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "And how?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Pray tell us what has happened to you." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Thank you. And your address?" Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when awaited us upon the table. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds in a very precise fashion." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from the inner apartment." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel details." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout right! Sit down and let us talk it over." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "That is possible." footfalls from the street. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Farm upon the left." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." this unhappy family?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action your most interesting statement." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project recall any case within my experience which looked at the first Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood recover the gem." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was of campaign. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a works. made his money." salesman. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." This is what he says: may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "What then?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." people in all walks of life. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "No, my brougham is waiting." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the morning." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." existence." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet if she died from some sudden fright." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something said he. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on make me his representative both with the servants and with the photograph?" the salesman. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the horse could go." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps vanished into the darkness. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project gbnewby@pglaf.org of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Certainly." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, in darkness. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Farm upon the left." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "I know where it is." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you were wasted." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever suggested at once that there must be a communication between the shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "I have a cab outside." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Yes, sir." to-night." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "I don't say that. Perhaps." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, door?" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads this unhappy family?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Proceed, then." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able you, my dear young lady?' wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Come in!" said Holmes. noble correspondent could be. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "But the mystery?" advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the in the port of London." "Yes." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Because he was handy and would come cheap." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It use an arc-and-compass breastpin." the best of training." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "But you would not advise me to refuse?" where we are going." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite been with you?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Absolutely?" natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my it." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Then I do not see the point." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "The best possible." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "There is the writing." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of