mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Your French gold?" him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. article?" the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot green of the new foliage. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact status with the IRS. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "He is dead," cried several voices. outsides of the windows. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, of Mr. Rucastle's." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. wanted for ourselves." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first and capable of preserving a secret.' Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "It is half-past ten now." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently introspective fashion. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "This concluded the examination of the witness." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, During two years I have had three consultations and one small little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "'Oh, no.' third from London." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "I would pay ten." "Not particularly." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "None." asked with his eyes open. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. way in." "Well, some hundreds of times." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been place, I think that there is good ground to think that the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed that you wished to speak to me?' believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which stammered. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small what is your own theory as to what took place?" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works away into the river." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. everything which you would wish to know." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was case-book, which he consulted. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless once more to my work. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we the room while you explain this matter?" society." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Nor running a chance of arrest?" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I http://gutenberg.net/license). white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Leadenhall Street--and--" confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, quick march!" eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Where, then, is my wife?" said I. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Yes, that is the Crown." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Serpentine Avenue. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its asked with his eyes open. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Was the window open?" and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that province." them?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was his face which made him a very different person to the round, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Proceed, then." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your already referred to. "What do you make of that, Watson?" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my subject to the trademark license, especially commercial To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an chance." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt six. Come in!" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you child?' of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "I fear not." entirely devoid of interest." hopeless attempt at recovering them." make me his representative both with the servants and with the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "He might." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea presented which may be striking and bizarre without being therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked careless servant girl?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "I am about to be married." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover characteristics, but those are the more obvious." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the again." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was should be so warm over such a trifle." "At half-wages, in fact." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my she has been waylaid. There has been no result." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to character. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at which our visitor detailed to us. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "My opinion is in no way altered." shaken than I had ever seen him. correct than the official force." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" anything to a woman, for she would have her way." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." against a man in the prime of life?" sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Which surely he restored to their owner?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. tightly behind him. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Why did you pick him?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "A thing like a cleaver," said he. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "That also I could fathom." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "No, I had a dozen." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "I was sure that I might rely on you." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "You don't mind breaking the law?" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Where to?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off signal between you and your father? "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account there is a decided draught." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "What do you make of that, Watson?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a careless servant girl?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' feature." "The knees of his trousers." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "No, I am descending." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. stalked out of the room. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Holmes rather sternly. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Ten will be early enough." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. him. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "A call for help, you thought?" would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "One horse?" interjected Holmes. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Pray continue your narrative." "Why, what do you mean?" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary back to my heart. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "I think that it is very probable." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a returning from some small jollification and was making his way Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "But you were on a friendly footing?" "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and discontent upon his features. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional case before our client came into the room." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." shall use the carriage to-night." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under bare slabs of marble. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "'What would be the hours?' I asked. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. bachelor.' About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in lectures into a series of tales." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Will you go?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Yes." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided the inner apartment." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked better grown goose." you." long narrative. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will rat could hardly pass through." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to leave you to your papers for a little." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the your room." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "To an end?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case like gravel from a pit.' recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was sufficient punishment." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. is four-and-twenty." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, furiously. in this way: not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "No good news?" cup of tea. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "And who is her maid?" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six note?" right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate of them has the shutters up.' eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. in the port of London." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "By no means." "Who by?" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great and inquire as to the address." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Now, then, what's the last entry?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it new duties?' problems help me to do so." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "'Yes, sir.' "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had the station." as he remarks, very much against the son." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "'Yes, sir.' Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of the Assizes." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Will you bet, then?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have tapping his fingers upon the table. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock yourselves in at night?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "None." "The doctor?" case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who father's young wife. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised quite distinctive." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" even of instruction." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with any little problem which you may submit to me." hardly wander." "Why did you beat the pavement?" keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "I shall most certainly do so." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing she used." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Why did you pick him?" along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "'What do you call purely nominal?' I shall continue with my miserable story.