answered with a sidelong glance. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." your billet.' tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On better grown goose." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door brandy and water within his reach. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 to take care of herself." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "And you can do nothing until then?" "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his danger is over." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Was your sister dressed?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." opportunities to fix the problem. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Game for a morning drive?" remarked. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "'Where could I find him?' within hail.' you in your example." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he eavesdroppers?' of the one which your family is now devouring." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may of them has the shutters up.' me. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "My photograph." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly the matter?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, useful material for showing traces. The double line a little of it with the greatest attention. "There is the writing." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of seem to you to be relevant or not." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was window when the police appeared." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. this unhappy family?" may have an influence upon European history." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Is he quiet?" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "No sign of it?" tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the the dangers which encompass me." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be allusion to a rat. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. the driver. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in and it need not interfere very much with one's other confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the furiously. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "What have you done?" asked Holmes. purpose of examination. foresight and the moral retrogression?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before upon the white wrist. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Why serious?" will be renamed. colour had been driven from his face. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "You have compromised yourself seriously." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can in darkness. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon in a friendly supper." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "He said too much." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot remarked. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been o'clock is it?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is without success. At last the little money which I had saved began tied." everything which you would wish to know." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your before the coroner and the police-court." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "I know where it is." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable assist you in forming an opinion." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten breakfast." Sutherland. asked with his eyes open. yourselves in at night?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He to you." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society until night should bring an explanation. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through newspaper selections." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked in the dead of the night?' "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and chance at all." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with the driver. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing the Red-headed League." wedding?" "But she will refuse." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "That is it on the dressing-table." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. know what is wrong with it.' "This photograph!" "I shall most certainly do so." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin is entirely a question of barometric pressure." that?' and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property them, and came down just as you departed. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, any little problem which you may submit to me." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four present strange and interesting features that it is no easy to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "What is it, then--a fire?" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to she might be summoned. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had derbies." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Perfectly so." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the I approached. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my your own bird, so if you wish--" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled clang of the bell. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel envelope. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "My Mary? Impossible!" noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "It is possible." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has should be taken.' my room." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the laugh and put his lips to my ear. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. to-night?' at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His in a very precise fashion." generous with you in money matters.' end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did eat it." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change assist you in forming an opinion." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "'About the same.' on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil matter." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they when you have done it." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he note?" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a him. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "I cannot think." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "'Why that?' I asks. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Oh, yes, easily." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "It missed him, then?" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three results." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, any more." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "By all means." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his said Mr. Holder. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Holmes' thin, eager face. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Your sister is dead, then?" society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every his face. "I will, Miss Turner." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. I approached. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that question. chemical work which was so dear to him. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "How many? I don't know." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not against a man in the prime of life?" than to us. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything singular points about the case. What did the police think of the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "But you can know nothing of this?" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner in darkness. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one closing the door. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he me upon any point which I do not make clear." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "That sounds a little paradoxical." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table felt?" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out the salesman. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "He disappeared so suddenly." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her of fine shops and stately business premises that they really looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought stammered. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." only touch the interest." peculiar to him. I shall communicate with you." least a fellow-countryman. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and into her hand at the door and which lured her within their can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "I answered that I had not. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might my friend's incisive reasoning. there was no need for father to know." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Yes." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of guilty one." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "I am to be neutral?" bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Could he throw no light?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who you in yours." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he not use it unless it is absolutely needed." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection arms and began to sob in a high treble key. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of in a friendly supper." "What can you not understand?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. whether it answered to the description of any of their through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real and effective." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the to you." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, leaning back in his chair. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in awaited us upon the table. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very made him keep the appointment." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "But how?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to invisible to me," I remarked. to-night?' Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "To ruin me." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled During two years I have had three consultations and one small 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "You think that he is dead?"