to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the window when the police appeared." national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Yes, I have one waiting." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "How did you deduce the select?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "At the wedding breakfast." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "The best possible." "Stoke Moran?" said he. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Doctor, of the paper and the date." papers diligently of late, have you not?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked crime." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of developed." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "To ruin me." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "No." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "It must be recovered." "His face fell immediately. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Certainly." "'About the same.' St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Won't it ring?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "I am still in the dark." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "I have solved it." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a delighted to hear it," he said. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I them?" heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who was it brought him the coronet? "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Stoke Moran." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of friends, not even his own brother. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was my former friend and companion. passage and a tap at the door. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Pray do so." when you have done it." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "How often?" drove away. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for with frightened eyes at his accuser. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "'Certainly,' I answered. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge followed. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was true." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own quick march!" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no the night.' believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire once more for Briony Lodge. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution who was a member of your goose club." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "It is very kind of you." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you Doctor, of the paper and the date." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes you." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a I shall communicate with you." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner that, and I came down." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "We must have a cab." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper one's self under obligations.' "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, definite end. husband's writing, madam." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. highroad, where all traces were lost. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "'And what salary do you ask?' you?' have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that already referred to. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are question. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of into the bag, and made for the door. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the later, upon the night of May 2nd." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Not yet." the stones. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." something of him before." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. dramatic, in fact." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm made his money." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, go from here to the Strand." cigars in their mouths. make me his representative both with the servants and with the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Doctor, of the paper and the date." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age leaning back in his chair. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Here?" lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "On your arm?" have not had my rubber." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, he died? foot. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "It surprised me." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Yes, sir." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable fluttered off among the others. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "My dear Holmes!" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. I am not easy in my mind about them." "You know me, then?" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, than to us. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Why, it's a dummy," said he. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I what I may call a really hard day's work." arrangements." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible I leave." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive to some other building. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step at home. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where strength of mind to control. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "How often?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest the Assizes." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." DAMAGE. answer." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions and capable of preserving a secret.' Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. overpowering excitement and concern. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." infinite languor in his face. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table chill to my heart. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening tell them apart.' some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's and files of the old papers, following the future career of every basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Could he throw no light?" I shall communicate with you." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I made his money." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "I have hopes." occupations.' lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting rat could hardly pass through." writing, and yet I know it well." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "'What are you doing there?' he asked. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "My own seal." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "What shall I do?" "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the that you wished to speak to me?' "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "How did he come?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of never to learn it at all." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing that my secret was safe in his possession. detained." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because anything to a woman, for she would have her way." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of allusion to a rat. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "It is solved." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most Holmes' room. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Yes, sir." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and Where does the thing come from?' across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "You are hungry," I remarked. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "'What then?' I asked. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" get her out of the way." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark memory. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your you do it in twenty minutes!' London for the present?" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my