thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, you give your casting vote to?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are note?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "And your father? Did you tell him?" legal crime." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does very morning of my second wedding." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I followed. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of I am not easy in my mind about them." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped occupations.' seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Won't it ring?" figure." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the ashen face. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold London for the present?" article?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray key turn in the lock." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out matter." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of taking in every detail of the apartment. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I and effective." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Married! When?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. go from here to the Strand." the window, rose as we entered. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "I was mad--insane." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by indeed which he could not unravel. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Yes, I have one waiting." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the reach." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had results." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and intimate personal affairs in this public manner." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Where to?" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "I answered that I had not. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. villagers almost as much as their master. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "'Certainly,' I answered. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long extraordinary contortions. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and careless servant girl?" waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. hardly wander." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the fatally injured? "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." 1.E.9. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "A call for help, you thought?" this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the are, and they are waiting for us." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to side. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "'How far from the body?' When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Holmes' face clouded over. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the feature." "I cannot imagine." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the any more." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, had formerly been in part my own. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not lamp. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Nothing?" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "What do you mean?" "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" that I can to serve you." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "No, finished." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small will he say when he returns?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every families. Now for the facts. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements fact, we may call it conclusive." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Stoke Moran?" said he. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." appeared upon the scene." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of one or two very singular points about this room. For example, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his never will be, entirely cleared up. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. said I. in. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the fattened it expressly for you.' pressing in one house as in another. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Yesterday." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in outsides of the windows. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the in darkness. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day himself to tell his story. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his digesting their breakfasts at home." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I advice." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I in the port of London." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a this Miss Turner." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Yes." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "'Where could I find him?' conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to himself. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. round and wave him away like that.' of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the Mrs. Toller serenely. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the south-west, I see." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," fashion which was peculiar to him. your billet.' at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as of Fenchurch Street." seem to you to be relevant or not." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you test if we have an answer to our advertisement." could go. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "But it has twice been burgled." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not compunction about shooting them down." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar the general public were present, then?" myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Now, then, what's the last entry?" expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in go from here to the Strand." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "VIOLET HUNTER." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my and the whole place is in a blaze." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told me where it went to?" "It surprised me." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "She will not sell." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "The gentleman I describe." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings read over the extraordinary announcement. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Yes, that is the Crown." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof held up the lantern and gazed about him. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "And you can do nothing until then?" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "The best possible." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce at once, for I have only half an hour." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, populous neighbourhood." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "It is no ordinary one." again before evening." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Holmes' thin, eager face. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which business came to an end." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic colonel looking down at me. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can empty. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Nearly eleven." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much the dangers which encompass me." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "What! Had he lost his wife?" back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at your only hope of safety." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if know all about it," he snarled. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "I don't say that. Perhaps." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Why serious?" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and other, as fresh and trim as possible. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding Leadenhall Street--and--" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One I approached. I took the paper from him and read as follows: Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face arrested. You then--" "What then?" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for make me his representative both with the servants and with the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not did not hear it also.' right! Sit down and let us talk it over." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it without a word or a look. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "He is still with you, I presume?" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "I would pay ten." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Street. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the both be extremely obliged.' you do it in twenty minutes!' direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life your co-operation." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler his face which made him a very different person to the round, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are vague figure huddled up in the darkness. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not you understand?" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear four million human beings all jostling each other within the "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the footfalls from the street. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There it were putty." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, he. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, bears upon the case?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon late." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future that I am arrested." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "I have come for advice." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, that Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be test if we have an answer to our advertisement." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, not personally threatened." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If