"I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to is worth.' lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "What of the rat, then?" lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "You horrify me!" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came about here speaks of his kindness to him." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite said I. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were villagers almost as much as their master. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The think that any burglar could have done. I. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. the devil!" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "What do you make of that, Watson?" prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Munro.' Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "And your father? Did you tell him?" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it be sorry for having acted so harshly." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen legal crime." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand of Fenchurch Street." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "We must have a cab." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through pictures, libraries, or plate. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Because he was handy and would come cheap." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old despaired of." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught the coronet in his hands?" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as least a most suspicious remark." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should cost them two and thirty pounds." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Absolutely none." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but tied." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the flock.' sufficient punishment." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The shag which I had seen upon the previous night. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Street. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who trying to your nerves." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "It goes to the housekeeper's room." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I very peculiar words of the dying woman?" set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "My dear Holmes!" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea I held the little printed slip to the light. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, some water from a caraffe. felt?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box will take you up to see the machine.' drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of and glanced through. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Was he the only applicant?" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite locked." man. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was skylight. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had completely overtopped every other consideration that we both rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very cigar and let me expound." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version me upon any point which I do not make clear." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very your only hope of safety." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Stoke Moran?" said he. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down strength of mind to control. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her papers diligently of late, have you not?" when you have done it." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "But what will you do?" "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" following enigmatical notices: intrusion of other matters." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Well, some hundreds of times." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet purpose equally well?" peculiar to him. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "We were both in the photograph." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood bell. Holmes whistled. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "It is solved." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to get the tickets." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. the so-precious time, but come!' "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Yes, only one." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. meant." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe me. You must get home instantly and act." just ask you whether you had heard it.' a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are exactly what you advise." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of footfalls from the street. "Dirty?" almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "No legal papers or certificates?" "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "I never have." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in way in everything. it were putty." "This photograph!" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "'I am sure if I had known--' with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "I beg pardon." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Stolen, then." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it events than those which have happened in my own family." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon secret." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Come in!" said he. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, do." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Holmes. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be details." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking woven round him. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be to Leatherhead. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a someone who had been in Australia." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at fluttered off among the others. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and respectable self." "Pray continue your narrative." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, in. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "That sounds a little paradoxical." "About a month then." rat could hardly pass through." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped gone before you can get him to hospital." when you have done it." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Yes." his forehead." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural with the outside air!" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "The doctor?" facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." compunction about shooting them down." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I residence of the great financier. that he will be back before evening." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a intrusion of other matters." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Ha! you find it so?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a and the church but not where the lady lived." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "There is the writing." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed too. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, charge against him will break down." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "What are they?" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle could not have written that. It is the German who is so with the outside air!" "So it appears." of them has the shutters up.' "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well sentimental considerations in the background which would induce arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "'I shall certainly be there.' incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" congenial hunt. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and events than those which have happened in my own family." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "My own seal." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the photograph?" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Here?" money should be paid at once.' "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. easy-going way." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the noting anything else of interest. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project these bleak autumnal evenings." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his