"Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," useful material for showing traces. The double line a little very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the if I call to-morrow?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK back to my heart. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "And your father? Did you tell him?" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would gbnewby@pglaf.org 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To dramatic, in fact." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There dear old homesteads?" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the detective. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. prison!" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never weapon." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, so far?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too this unhappy family?" bird of prey. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "He is dead," cried several voices. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, written, and locked the door of the office after me. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may will take you up to see the machine.' something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it in this way: latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is open." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you indeed which he could not unravel. the little opening for the ventilator is." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated Holmes rather sternly. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Then he might have called to you?" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "He is still with you, I presume?" Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a brandy and water within his reach. face and glided from the room. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: skylight. "An enemy?" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "I will, Miss Turner." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for you?' desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "That sounds a little paradoxical." "I beg pardon." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and new acquaintance to Baker Street. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight I shall communicate with you." upon the sideboard." me what he had done with the three missing stones. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "I have come for advice." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Indeed! Whose, then?" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Did he not advertise?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each to-night?' an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Not social, then?" "'Then let me do so?' including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but reach." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an all?" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Nothing?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has a few minutes he said that it would be all right. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Stolen." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "None. Neville wrote those words." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the ran thus: "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very the room while you explain this matter?" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and spark where all is dark to me." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "And who is her maid?" smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The about. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "No." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have matters immensely." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "He is dead," cried several voices. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the was already answered. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much man. I know him from the photograph." fishes. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Which are?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. I was concerned in it." "Nothing." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed the stable lane now." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather followed. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE Serpentine Avenue. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and lumber-room." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, disturbance in my wife." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The it means?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "9th. McCauley cleared. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Yesterday." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "No." footfalls from the street. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and promised to bring home. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "'What, the red-headed man?' Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the several quiet little villages up there." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but dramatic, in fact." public press." approach us with offers to donate. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Farm upon the left." it right.' "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I noting anything else of interest. just ask you whether you had heard it.' his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "But how did you gain them?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Who by?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' what do you think they found in the pockets?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we with some details as to your case." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a been." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to matters immensely." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, from you?" whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open fashion which was peculiar to him. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and chemical work which was so dear to him. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Dr. Gregory B. Newby "'Entirely.' enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the with the outside air!" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "But she will refuse." the little opening for the ventilator is." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Oh, fresh and glossy." "You have carte blanche." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "And it is--" "From his hat?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first that moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Then I am your man." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what stammered. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless been able to understand it, in a very few words. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the seem to you to be relevant or not." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a relation between them, and what the object of his repeated Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I of fine shops and stately business premises that they really assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "But not more so than I to find you." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there ready to-morrow?' see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "9th. McCauley cleared. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "No, my brougham is waiting." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets intrusion of other matters." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always lids now and glanced across at his visitor. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That occupations.' "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property the bed, and you in that chair." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong nothing of it?" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "And you thought he was pulled back?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Holmes." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good my special province." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped said he. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "He is still with you, I presume?" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Then how many are there?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, notes," he said. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "What I expected to see." "I should like to see him very much." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "What is it, then--a fire?" lamp. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything heavily into it. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. take the flies, but not before." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he fishes. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was of the efforts of the United States government and of the better spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing now. It seems that there had been some informality about their strength in the others." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "About a month then." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" you, my dear young lady?' wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a populous neighbourhood."