maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all are, and they are waiting for us." not personally threatened." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a gentleman's clothes. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. throat." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would unclasping of his long thin hands. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one lamp in his hand. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Yes, I have one waiting." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "'Quite sure, dad.' my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather would then never go into court at all." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an to-night?' moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about formed some opinion?" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which as the one I chose?' uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly he died? the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some question," said Holmes, smiling. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Precisely so. But how--" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and 1.E.9. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the 1.E.9. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with of Fenchurch Street." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed papers." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. advice." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the note?" father's young wife. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from heavily into it. his huge brown hands. acquaintance?" something of him before." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A you." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Leave Paddington by the 11:15." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the is now desirous of getting those letters back." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not page at http://pglaf.org "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "'Not at all. I only doubt--' found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "I answered that I had not. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a floor. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Nothing." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a companion. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." mysterious end." "What will you do, then?" "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "It was a confession," I ejaculated. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." papers must be those that are destroyed.' approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." as he remarks, very much against the son." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Yes, that is the Crown." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an kindly on the shoulder. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "It missed him, then?" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, thought that she would have been so carried away." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "You have a clue?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "I cannot imagine." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who him, that man would not have given me such complete information but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Of Friday, June 19th." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "But your client--" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Certainly." "Upon what point?" cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "At the wedding breakfast." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that it." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him corner of the building. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as three fields round his house, and there he would take his to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little will take you up to see the machine.' grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "No legal papers or certificates?" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "That is not always so easy." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a is entirely a question of barometric pressure." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's o'clock is it?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' into the room. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "And your father? Did you tell him?" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent already referred to. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "What have you to say now?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility guilty parties." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over breakfast?" what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "What can it mean?" I gasped. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, been with you?" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. and have this put in the evening papers." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "'Ample.' heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, in his power. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "'Ample.' "You know me, then?" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "About a month then." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Entirely." "Yes, it would be as well." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and of Fenchurch Street." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place any." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." room. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of them, and came down just as you departed. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "I was mad--insane." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "What can it mean?" I gasped. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and in the dead of the night?' "Will you bet, then?" machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not of a light. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "We must sit without light. He would see it through the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, the little opening for the ventilator is." "None." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, to a light-house. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Certainly." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon was a lad." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." the coroner come to?" "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "It goes to the housekeeper's room." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "The landlord of the Alpha." "But his lameness?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I of fine shops and stately business premises that they really carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of the running down." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "I have come for advice." "'What then?' I asked. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Murdered?" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Yes?" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a copied or distributed: time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Come in!" said he. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at might help us?" chair. "Texas, I think." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "I cannot tell." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his in a very precise fashion." anything to do with the matter?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social October 9, 1890. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "It is possible." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. crowd. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said You can understand that this register and diary may implicate of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "I have come for advice." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and to you." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "'Ten to two.' your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for your room." that you wished to speak to me?' the tragedy. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or flock.' "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Mrs. Toller serenely. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "It is very kind of you." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Yes." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic promised to bring home.