power." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very rose-bushes. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one closing the door. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, events, Mr. Windibank!" While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "I was sure that I might rely on you." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman was the fact that his father should, according to his account, his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical stammered. photograph?" business?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm and effective." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated sneer upon his pale face. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major arrangements." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "'No, I know no one in these parts.' in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no case-book, which he consulted. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "I cannot tell." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, of Fenchurch Street." "Where, then, is my wife?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." the very morning of the wedding." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg matter over." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, them present such singular features as the strange train of "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert his grey eyes. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so call you and give you the chance." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." his face. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "And now?" I asked. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Stoke Moran?" said he. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a there was no need for father to know." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I some terrible trap for her." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Then you may entirely rely on me." "My dear Holmes!" 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER he. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He vanished into the darkness. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' putting in the horse. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Then how many are there?" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is bare slabs of marble. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended point in the dark hollow of his hand. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of the matter." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." sneer upon his pale face. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Witness: Nothing definite. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across to tell." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Arthur Conan Doyle "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and did not hear it also.' "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at indeed which he could not unravel. chance at all." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "I am still in the dark." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have and that he would see to anything that turned up. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Holmes, the busybody!" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. who was a member of your goose club." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "One horse?" interjected Holmes. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Upon what point?" abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the is acting for the best. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and again before evening." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" annoyance, but no jest. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him http://gutenberg.net/license). my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you residence of the great financier. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found peculiar to him. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as off." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. been able to understand it, in a very few words. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his of campaign. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was indiscretion." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came best detective that ever lived. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Bought." "'A dozen yards or so.' husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning affair. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is enough to aid us in our search." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "And the murderer?" to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring writer." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one on in his house." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "I cannot say that I have." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper mysterious business." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend in this way: other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about speckled band?" beyond words. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "I fear not." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "It was an hour's good drive." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we companion. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that held up the lantern and gazed about him. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you into the bag, and made for the door. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of husband's writing, madam." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "I came to find a friend." even of instruction." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. as the one I chose?' come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her that you saw all that I did." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Holmes' thin, eager face. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your both be extremely obliged.' "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "That is it on the dressing-table." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "On the contrary, this is the right side." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Have you good authority for what you say?" into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by digesting their breakfasts at home." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It bears upon the case?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high bird I ate is country bred." go from here to the Strand." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "You'll never persuade me to believe that." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post purpose equally well?" been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's on re-entering her father's house?" of a light. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. tension within him. "It surprised me." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the standing smiling on the door-step. "You are hungry," I remarked. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the into the bag, and made for the door. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "What!" he roared. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's over part of the map. "What do you read?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Was there a secret marriage?" reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "'Very good.' creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would once more. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "I am in hopes that she does." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and less than 26s. 4d. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Pray do so." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of information in his hands the value of which he did not himself impression behind it as though a window had gently closed took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Murdered?" Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I be sorry for having acted so harshly." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," events than those which have happened in my own family." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general cup of tea. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my chamber." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." with the outside air!" gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "So I have heard." "Yes, all." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless