happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's examination of the premises, but without finding anything which possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished gbnewby@pglaf.org blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as corner of the building. I approached. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Holmes rather sternly. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a deduce something from that?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer relation between them, and what the object of his repeated time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat said I. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to excitement. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather bird I ate is country bred." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every you." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a their singular warning or token before them when starting upon What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "No." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a remarked. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two would then never go into court at all." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, gbnewby@pglaf.org another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' held up the lantern and gazed about him. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the investigation." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to with her." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "My stepfather's business papers." "I know where it is." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint chambers. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his back alive. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Ah!" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist morning." mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had himself. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." said he. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "His face fell immediately. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Upon what point?" "And how in the world did you find them?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "You forget that I know nothing about it." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still something of him before." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, prepare for the new role I have to play." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be clang of the bell. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I the little opening for the ventilator is." papers." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "None." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That footfalls from the street. "If so, much may have happened between." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself fishes. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be matter." noting anything else of interest. chemical work which was so dear to him. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you have got?" asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I carried out of court." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am of." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger walking." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Witness: It was. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any a monotonous occupation." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "My opinion is in no way altered." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" have accepted such a situation. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather now. It seems that there had been some informality about their save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "How did that help you?" Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A upon the white wrist. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to read over the extraordinary announcement. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from tear off another piece?' "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Does that suggest anything?" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had to have that photograph." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. arrangements." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "'A dozen yards or so.' "Tired-looking or fresh?" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "You are hungry," I remarked. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average your Highness to the police-station?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Then what has happened to him?" "Really! You surprise me." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "He is still with you, I presume?" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the spare." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with discontent upon his features. "None. Neville wrote those words." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less awkward doing business with an alias." the tragedy. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation other means.' noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "How about poison?" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal your Highness to the police-station?" "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof Pope's Court. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard sparkled upon his finger. row." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "By all means." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "I saw her in conversation with her maid." any." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and his grey eyes. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "And the cigar-holder?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to that you saw all that I did." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Foundation admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "The knees of his trousers." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "How on earth--" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on know what is wrong with it.' star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "What! You do not mean bodies?" "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "'I have already given you my word.' "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing this Miss Turner." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a posted to-day." "You saw the ventilator, too?" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every green of the new foliage. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It Pope's Court, Fleet Street." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the my secret was safe in his possession. do you make of it all?" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most the little opening for the ventilator is." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, three of the beryls in it, was missing. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing note?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up said he. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "My stepfather's business papers." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per front of the hall door has given its name to the place. that he has suffered." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "'Is purely nominal.' confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" have got?" usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "I have solved it." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will your only hope of safety." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from best detective that ever lived. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice for its centre. "My own seal." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "This photograph!" miles off. questionable one." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the I leave." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading distinguish the words: son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two outside." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this make me his representative both with the servants and with the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Dirty?" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the yet." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no tell them apart.' events, Mr. Windibank!" appeal." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the cigar and let me expound." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian some water from a caraffe. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was residence of the great financier. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "How often?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the your co-operation." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being Have you good authority for what you say?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my that he has suffered." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, redistribution. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." these bleak autumnal evenings." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen forehead. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Edgeware Road. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock the matter?" "Nor running a chance of arrest?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "And that is--" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily criminal. We have already had experience of such." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "No." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the the side-table." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup round with crates and massive boxes. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and there in twenty minutes." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried I shall continue with my miserable story. annoyance, but no jest. it."