it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Why did you beat the pavement?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such their singular warning or token before them when starting upon upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "'It is locked up,' I answered. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Yes, all." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "'And what salary do you ask?' "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "No." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the to-night?" I asked. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "To an end?" shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Witness: I must still refuse. beg that you will break it off." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "And for present expenses?" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was golden eyeglasses. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "What then?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more the house with me." head. So long, then!" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, confronted him. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a such person." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With woman who has had her own way to make in the world. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Yes." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and considering the formidable letters which were received by himself finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "I am still in the dark." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." overpowering excitement and concern. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "'Never.' "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness key of the affair now." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would true." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire woven round him. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted hand, madam?" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the stood on the top of it. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' despair." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have rat could hardly pass through." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "He slept on the premises." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Well." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend sound at heart." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental rooms." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great in your London, you will know that the office of the company is leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the Mary, has deserted me." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry writer." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. would apply.' naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. I nodded to show that I had heard. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of his wife has ceased to love him." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be thin, with a long, sharp nose?" narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of threw himself down with his face to the pillow. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's said he at last. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my you in your example." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "My Mary? Impossible!" Again Holmes raved in the air. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to matter." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. who was a member of your goose club." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is what do you think they found in the pockets?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "So I am. Very much so." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Chief Executive and Director search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is and it need not interfere very much with one's other grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit garden below. opportunities to fix the problem. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "You'll never persuade me to believe that." said he. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than you." "'Where could I find him?' thought that she would have been so carried away." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come fat-encircled eyes. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on hurried by. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "And help." McCarthy's innocence. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, way in everything. nothing of it?" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the may never be exposed to such a temptation." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and me have 200 pounds?' the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the laugh and put his lips to my ear. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have depend upon your compliance." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to one else, I think." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "You know me, then?" There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "And I say east," said my patient. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party copied or distributed: finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "'Where to?' firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third the coronet at all injured?" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Where does the thing come from?' "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through Foundation "Certainly." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the business at Coburg Square is serious." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on outside." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, invisible to me," I remarked. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier away in different directions, and I went off to make my own sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, morning." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry views." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Oh, the cause is excellent!" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "In answer to an advertisement." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a said I. in the hope of finding them." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "I don't believe it." breakfast?" Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily is worth.' again on its way. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "I say that I have solved it." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the and wait." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" coat-tails." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and over here." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the door?" any little problem which you may submit to me." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. said I. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" eat it." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy too. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some wedding?" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a felt?" "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of you." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found opportunities to fix the problem. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." be.' gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." wanted for ourselves." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several writing, and yet I know it well." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a call it cruel." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "I shall most certainly do so." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the galvanised. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what cigar and let me expound." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I shall use the carriage to-night." throat." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me go from here to the Strand." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and front of the hall door has given its name to the place. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon at once, for I have only half an hour." young Openshaw's." answered with a sidelong glance. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, sneer upon his pale face. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon train from Paddington which would bring you there at about unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his may have an influence upon European history." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was now. It seems that there had been some informality about their deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Yes, sir." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It future lives." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, to tell." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "The vanishing of the lady." way in everything. wall." fuss that is made over them." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing