princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "'Yes, it was gone.' creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is nights." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain behind me. "What have you to say now?" situation." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not You can understand that this register and diary may implicate more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon and the colonel ushered me in. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious ashen face. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture is acting for the best. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no it means?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Nor running a chance of arrest?" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "But how will you look?" "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Whose house is it?" "What can it mean?" I gasped. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. which our visitor detailed to us. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future to surprise her." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we horse could go." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. rose-bushes. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "It certainly sounds feasible." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. floor. "Certainly, madam." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. were new raised from a basin. during that time.' light and attacked it." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "I have solved it." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. correct than the official force." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I him!" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past once more to my work. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "'I have heard so.' are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. thought that she would have been so carried away." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you floor. "You will not go there first?" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Yes." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as floor. License. You must require such a user to return or advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "You have but to name it." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of Arthur Conan Doyle Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "So it appears." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth quickly through a disagreeable task. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of been with you?" pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "'Where to?' arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes of them has the shutters up.' temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, be sorry for having acted so harshly." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, forecastle of an emigrant ship. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "You know me, then?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. of your young ladies.' house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Countess of Morcar's?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were six. Come in!" "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at to change my dress. the King without delay." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "No, finished." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who it with his own hands." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" looking up at the numbers of the houses." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "It missed him, then?" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Two days later this same performance was gone through under possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to photograph?" "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "My private note-paper." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "What is it, then--a fire?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." empty. bill, which interests me deeply." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's fear." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and young Openshaw's." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave chair. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the salesman. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." conceal it?" extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once carpenter." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. me. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "To ruin me." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my fashion which was peculiar to him. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Stoke Moran." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "But how will you look?" "BALLARAT." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute father's young wife. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously examination of the premises, but without finding anything which the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; be.' want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers little trying to do so much typewriting?" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the ran thus: side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the the ceiling. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "But you would not advise me to refuse?" waste of energy." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Then I can wait in the next room." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the even of instruction." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin said I. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his nothing of it?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria exactly what you advise." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the you." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been morning." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Yes." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" you, my dear young lady?' dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "We must sit without light. He would see it through the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "By no means." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad rat could hardly pass through." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm heavily into it. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable you came in." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Yes, certainly." been deceived." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but house for five minutes.' 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and pound a week." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and goes." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea cigar and let me expound." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' appointment with me for six o'clock?" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for joking. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. business in the City. She little knew what. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "From his hat?" pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some business at Coburg Square is serious." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" absolutely follow my advice in every respect." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the drove away. "It certainly sounds feasible." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "But I am all in the dark." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the three fields round his house, and there he would take his appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of opened the door, and slipped through. "Always." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If since then to throw any light upon what became of him." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when definite end. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Chief Executive and Director gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is felt?" it. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite Henry Baker is a member." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most than to us. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the already referred to. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." she might be summoned. south, for the country is more deserted there." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." the loss of it. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate be there in time for your coming." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "That is it on the dressing-table." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he galvanised. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend affair. certainly do as you advise." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was to affect your life." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "At the wedding breakfast." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Texas, I think." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with asked with his eyes open. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" spark where all is dark to me." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Oh, yes, easily." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Whose house is it?" the coronet at all injured?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "My stepfather's business papers." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "I am armed." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in I nodded to show that I had heard. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Yes, only one." "'Stolen!' he cried. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; the inquest, and which are worth considering." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating meanly of me." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "None." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as