in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, you." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "None." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "She showed me, as I told you she would." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial shaken than I had ever seen him. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." believe that I should never have any practice at all. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I all-comprehensive glances. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "No, I had a dozen." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Married! When?" "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that upon the white wrist. nice household for a young lady." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on matter." gone. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent closely." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "No good news?" your sleep?' "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "And what did you learn from him?" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. I held the little printed slip to the light. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It pressing in one house as in another. the stable lane now." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "I cannot imagine." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" Does that suggest anything?" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to occurred." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" questionable one." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, heavily into it. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from his forehead." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' late!' Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left himself to tell his story. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important round with crates and massive boxes. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. past. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We hard-headed British jury." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but may have an influence upon European history." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." His name is Francis Prosper." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was such attractions and accomplishments?' lamp. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the crowd. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded upon a handsome competence. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be know all about it," he snarled. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Well, but China?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." six. Come in!" a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "But how will you look?" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "What is it, then--a fire?" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "No." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at he died? secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "I will get her to show me." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "And why?" case before our client came into the room." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we Holmes. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony shall use the carriage to-night." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of the Red-headed League." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "I will do it." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are strength." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were in his power. fashion which was peculiar to him. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Who was the criminal, then?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try could go. certainly not very gracious." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite bearing upon the case." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "May I see it?" gigantic client. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you like gravel from a pit.' brandy and water within his reach. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. as yours." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." do you make of it all?" London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "I was sure that I might rely on you." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to them present such singular features as the strange train of stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. disappearance of these gems?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised papers diligently of late, have you not?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "But you can know nothing of this?" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from present." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me little trying to do so much typewriting?" window when the police appeared." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled gbnewby@pglaf.org "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "His face fell immediately. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit giving me time to thank him. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "And your father? Did you tell him?" engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I it." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I lost his Christmas dinner." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Yes, at the mines." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "And I say east," said my patient. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there instincts rose up against that laugh. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated that the gas is not laid on in his house?" come either from the window or the door. My attention was "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." corner of the building. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled distinguish the words: these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "And why?" observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a and that he would see to anything that turned up. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "BALLARAT." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned here and I will read it to you: "You heard nothing yourself last night?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "And who is her maid?" "And that is--" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Watson," he said cordially. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter throat." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an mysterious end." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, fait accompli?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Absolutely none." desk. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." kind enough to tell me what I should do." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet certainly do as you advise." and looked back. written, and locked the door of the office after me. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her IS three of the beryls in it, was missing. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "My last client of the sort was a king." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view Leave Paddington by the 11:15." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the points in connection with it which never have been, and probably acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Her father is very rich?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem 'please.'" "'A dozen yards or so.' "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Precisely." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "On Monday." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, head. So long, then!" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her silent! Oh, he will be silent!' have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the horse could go." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of mystery!" call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a guilty parties." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and be sorry for having acted so harshly." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one for securing the situation." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." as he remarks, very much against the son." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Is he quiet?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "I was afraid that you were engaged." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from will be renamed. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "And how did you find out?" villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where something of him before." laugh and put his lips to my ear. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the obstinate." the station." a good hundred miles off by now." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" hurried away. that I can to serve you." you understand?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every pound a week." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned away into the river." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town looking up at the numbers of the houses." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow at a side door. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that him to be an active member of the medical profession." "VIOLET HUNTER." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same you." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train the side-table." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He to tell." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from