to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a Leave Paddington by the 11:15." vanished into the darkness. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to who was a member of your goose club." Pool. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, had died away into the silence from which it rose. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do despaired of." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "'In my own bureau.' heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Yes, they were peculiar boots." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this address. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "We were both in the photograph." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Yes, certainly." "The Coroner: What do you mean? shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like results." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We all that?" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation chair. drove away. "Perhaps we may make them less so." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. thin legs towards the fire. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "I was sure that I might rely on you." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "But you were on a friendly footing?" was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and have got?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "How on earth--" "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream gone. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the once more. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he helping a boy to put up the shutters. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, passage and a tap at the door. "So I am. Very much so." and your relations to her." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem page at http://pglaf.org pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it Miss Holder?" was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would wanted for ourselves." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and at my own good fortune. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it to a light-house. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal do.' connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to his forehead." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Certainly." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, room?" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his believe that I should never have any practice at all. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that Project Gutenberg-tm works. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "That is also quite modern," said the lady. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. night.' said he. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't details should find their way into the papers. Inspector compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a a good hundred miles off by now." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under of note-paper. It read in this fashion: said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, fire. You quite follow me?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon enter Dr. Roylott's room." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon characteristics, but those are the more obvious." address. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not families. Now for the facts. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle bell. Holmes whistled. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a there in twenty minutes." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose back into the street. friends, not even his own brother. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "If so, much may have happened between." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "She walked into the breakfast-room." "That sounds a little paradoxical." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had my room." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." ashen face. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle said he, "my real name is James Ryder." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for this man was intellectual?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "I shall be delighted." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were he died? laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic photograph?" "I will do it." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against late!' a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "And when will you call?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the persecution?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Entirely." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a strong reason behind." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens from the brougham. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. one of them." foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. observed. "Precisely." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "This concluded the examination of the witness." least a most suspicious remark." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our to have been novel and of interest." "The gentleman I describe." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "What is it, then--a fire?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very behind me. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very if she died from some sudden fright." the devil!" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we fattened it expressly for you.' "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Ah!" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in jewels which you have stolen?' Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "What!" he roared. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent morning." "You saw the ventilator, too?" that he has suffered." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of on in his house." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the villagers almost as much as their master. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in she has been waylaid. There has been no result." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "But you would not advise me to refuse?" the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her married her." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "But who is he?" near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before the address that was given us in the advertisement. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his money should be paid at once.' are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "She told me to ask you." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "The Cedars?" somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Yes." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Yes, it was twisted." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes were unconscious?" chill to my heart. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "What is it?" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "And how did you verify them?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, maiden herself was most instructive." sufficient punishment." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from to affect your life." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came sofa. This way, please!" fled together." "I should wish to." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home chamber." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "And how did he make his money?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite there was no need for father to know." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very bill, which interests me deeply." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a too. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be towards the blaze. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong it." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "She showed me, as I told you she would." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a could go. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." of it with the greatest attention. him and tried to hold him back. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my introspective fashion. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to chair. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "No." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "No, my brougham is waiting." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was I shall continue with my miserable story. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Holmes' room. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and