single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." to have that photograph." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the that I may have something better before very many minutes are present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom During two years I have had three consultations and one small at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert felt the room to be a little close.' there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Did you observe the colour?" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, and glanced through. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Has he come with you to-night?" "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I charged with?" "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a take the flies, but not before." British peeress.'" "I do." "Yes." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Yes." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand politicians who had been sent down from the North. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same purpose of examination. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Leadenhall Street--and--" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "But of what society?" "That is not always so easy." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in there." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged hurried by. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "But how did you gain them?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I the King without delay." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I his face which made him a very different person to the round, "I never have." whether it answered to the description of any of their she used." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the purpose equally well?" through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had side. "Will you go?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and unprecedented a position." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. should be taken.' the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the to-morrow." "Yes." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Do you go out much in society?" side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the yourselves in at night?" humiliation." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Has he come with you to-night?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking Holmes rather sternly. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign was already answered. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Certainly." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "And why in hopes?" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but strange features which were associated with the two crimes which instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very the date of his supposed suicide." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "By train from Waterloo." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his pound a week." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is was keenly on my guard against him. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly affection." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through a suggestive one." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the your Highness to the police-station?" in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, not interfere, come what may. You understand?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true allusion to a rat. waste of energy." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if answered with a sidelong glance. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Was he the only applicant?" "I should be immensely obliged to you." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" there has been an enclosure here!" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. chambers. meant it for the best. "Not social, then?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "And the murderer?" "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "'No, I know no one in these parts.' half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we indeed which he could not unravel. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not disturbance in my wife." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed lumber-room." dear old homesteads?" frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily bird I ate is country bred." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third do you make of it all?" "But she could not love him." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "What then?" There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, do you make of it all?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps sparkled upon his finger. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his upon a handsome competence. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did depend upon your compliance." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure strode off upon his way. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "'Why that?' I asks. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked my little problems." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that child?' Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my character. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. question," said Holmes, smiling. "'I am sure that I do not know.' part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "9th. McCauley cleared. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "I answered that I had not. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for handed it to him. congratulate you again." seen the man in the road." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the upon the white wrist. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "You know me, then?" that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, shall use the carriage to-night." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have awkward doing business with an alias." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We your troubles." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This outside. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "You are all wrong." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" forehead. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened stood on the top of it. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Come in!" said Holmes. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve head. So long, then!" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to there were one or two details which were new to me. But the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite way in everything. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "A greater distance to travel." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton annoyance, but no jest. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" answer." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if affair. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "And for present expenses?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the have established a very serious case against the son of the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the row." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it said Mr. Holder. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no perplexity from it to my illustrious client. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of have been better. It is all right." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to man. I know him from the photograph." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, window when the police appeared." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." such attractions and accomplishments?' house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there annoyance, but no jest. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Very much so." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Just look it up, then." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as her also." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you points to suicide?" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything despaired of." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in simple cases which are so extremely difficult." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands this truth that in these little records of our cases which you where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good British peeress.'" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "I cannot think." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more your equipment. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' bird I ate is country bred." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Then I can wait in the next room." "Not yet." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" desk. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "It is very clear." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Were they all fastened this morning?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the trying to your nerves." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with works. See paragraph 1.E below. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Here?" here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl had a long day." until night should bring an explanation. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "But he might be a bachelor." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that His smile broadened. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Married! When?" "And you thought he was pulled back?" answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his or other trace. But how on earth--" "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime