"Was your sister dressed?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home skylight. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked if only as a check to my own memory." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." the dangers which encompass me." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Did your wife hear all this?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this to-night." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips outbreak?" - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the it." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are room had already been engaged for us. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and behind me. What do you deduce from it?" as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly tell me that you intended to go into harness." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive it." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, it means?" once more to my work. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm this remarkable episode. used to be." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me not use it unless it is absolutely needed." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." meanly of me." "Then how many are there?" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "You are all wrong." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "It is half-past ten now." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between question," said Holmes, smiling. drove away. charged with?" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "I see no marks." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where this unhappy family?" States. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then your bag." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "'I shall certainly be there.' to you." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage off." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. him." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Your presence might be invaluable." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in test if we have an answer to our advertisement." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, and effective." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. dead, shall be safe with us." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the to a light-house. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose question," said Holmes, smiling. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, compunction about shooting them down." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "To an English lawyer named Norton." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "You think that he is dead?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "What! You do not mean bodies?" if she died from some sudden fright." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added criminal. We have already had experience of such." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the of them has the shutters up.' metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point distinguish the words: "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Proceed, then." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide mystery may be cleared along those lines." photograph a cabinet?" for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." get her out of the way." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "'Why that?' I asks. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is never will be, entirely cleared up. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "And that is--" have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner fatally injured? "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Where to?" "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "What is it?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a said Mr. Holder. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "A greater distance to travel." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Is he quiet?" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the indiscretion." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the me what he had done with the three missing stones. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew money should be paid at once.' a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll at my remark. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the which our visitor detailed to us. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." should be so warm over such a trifle." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman appeal." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of morning." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' friend's singular character. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but nights." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his the Red-headed League." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital License. You must require such a user to return or "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble events, Mr. Windibank!" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation useful material for showing traces. The double line a little no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding You want to know what became of those geese?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not formed some opinion?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "She walked into the breakfast-room." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter I held the little printed slip to the light. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "The rest you will leave in our hands." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, desk. "If I can be of use." "Certainly, madam." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, disappearance of the bride.'" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, relief. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but golden eyeglasses. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and second window is the one that I jumped from." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "In which, sir?" "'Is purely nominal.' caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." who was a member of your goose club." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an time." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Well, it is a possible supposition." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Who was the criminal, then?" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "You will not go there first?" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some and your relations to her." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to was keenly on my guard against him. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "I don't say that. Perhaps." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Holmes." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "And what then?" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Then you may be so with me." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed and laid it on the table. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age The telegram which we eventually received came late one night has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "What is it?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they where Mr. Fordham shows you.' new duties?' possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they events than those which have happened in my own family." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it few hundred pounds.' knowledge of the world." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly and wait." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at companion. you." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were directors, with the result that you have seen." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "The murder was done with it." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "And your mother is alive?" which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "It must be recovered." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very most interesting one." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in skylight. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more over with notes and figures. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by woman." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Imitated." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a bird I ate is country bred." Cross for the Continent." "'A dozen yards or so.' the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "But what will you do?" Mary, has deserted me." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew definite end. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. for securing the situation." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, his huge brown hands. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "There are none." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster on in his house." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "And did you observe any change in her then?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Yes, it was twisted."