the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "And why?" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg tell them apart.' The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no of your young ladies.' "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One like gravel from a pit.' newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at and it need not interfere very much with one's other met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "One?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, grasp, he hurried from the room. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "'Yes, it was gone.' work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the address that was given us in the advertisement. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no him and tried to hold him back. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. hardly wander." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord was a perfect sample of the class. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "No. What a strange idea!" inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "I don't say that. Perhaps." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face results." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Thank you. Pray proceed." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight never came back." "The murder was done with it." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "You think so, too?" skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are towards the blaze. of Mr. Rucastle's." fear." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "And I say east," said my patient. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Nothing?" in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "My opinion is in no way altered." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' points to suicide?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the I think that I could be of assistance to you." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had and looked back. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down galvanised. his fortune, and I went back to pa. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box father's place of business?" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he future lives." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was she might be summoned. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "And help." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "And your father? Did you tell him?" impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. not personally threatened." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, matter." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the October 9, 1890. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Then how many are there?" prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Of Friday, June 19th." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled fattened it expressly for you.' Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in in my life." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of point in the dark hollow of his hand. desk. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have to-night." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then look dissatisfied." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Very well, sir. And this stone?" wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Very well, sir. And this stone?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close of receipt of the work. "He is still with you, I presume?" is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "And when will you call?" took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Yes." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton and the colonel ushered me in. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should that there was nothing in it, after all." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "It looks newer than the other things?" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. had this final quarrel? stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and must be when I saw the door open.' "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they salesman. "What, then?" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, what these perils are?" fait accompli?" discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be useful material for showing traces. The double line a little and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, Munro.' will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the me." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had unprecedented a position." "Will you go?" black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "How about poison?" knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I problems help me to do so." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "What are they?" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "They are typewritten," I remarked. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "I am still in the dark." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid neither fascinating nor artistic." "But how will you look?" wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. you." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "I have solved it." "The doctor?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." questioning and rather startled gaze. acted in my house last night?" "You have compromised yourself seriously." round and wave him away like that.' he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell States. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time said he. in the hope of finding them." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door companion imperturbably. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker were wasted." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very spare." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for her also." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John seen the man in the road." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress such person." voice. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Pray tell us what has happened to you." meanly of me." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended train.' Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one My friend smiled. grasp, he hurried from the room. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Really! You surprise me." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "'I am sure if I had known--' of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an secret." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell crime." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Then, as to money?" slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was is so. I know all about McCarthy." them, and came down just as you departed. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to that before taking the final step I should like to submit the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a happened." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Not social, then?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler less than 26s. 4d. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already sneer upon his pale face. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the presume?" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and that the gas is not laid on in his house?" has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "'Entirely.' the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled horse could go." someone who had been in Australia." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in interests were the same as his." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you horse could go." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "No?" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "'Where could I find him?' should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the ashen face. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set test if we have an answer to our advertisement." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Texas, I think." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Pray do so." "How did that help you?" hand, madam?" "'Certainly,' I answered. "Certainly." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant tell them apart.' rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "He is still with you, I presume?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Who by?" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She certainly not very gracious." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with me upon any point which I do not make clear." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as my former friend and companion. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "But she will refuse." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your to a light-house. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was matter over." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these miles off. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin bachelor.' comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted down in his armchair and closing his eyes. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco fuss that is made over them." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret closely." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "I was certainly surprised to find you there." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "We have tried and failed."