hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the his cane at the bell-pull. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas was lame." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where that I can to serve you." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must it." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue there." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls better grown goose." "'Yes, I promise.' the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "You forget that I know nothing about it." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little voice, changing her seat as requested. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have this as likely?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "And you can do nothing until then?" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when front of the hall door has given its name to the place. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "But what is it you wish?" vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she third from London." waste of energy." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not detained." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, fuss that is made over them." "Only as much as we can deduce." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Ah, but I was recommended to you." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between questioning and rather startled gaze. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of had formerly been in part my own. "How did you trace it, then?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my good for you to do.' to miss it." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Seven!" I answered. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle confronted him. suddenly upon us." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Does that suggest anything?" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your The police have openly confessed that they can at present make wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become was shining brightly. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a over part of the map. "What do you read?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Ample." "I don't say that. Perhaps." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Get out!" said he. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three For additional contact information: with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "It's nothing of the kind." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who my little problems." may never be exposed to such a temptation." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "I am following you closely," I answered. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the III. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door to have that photograph." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, questioning and rather startled gaze. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Yes, it was twisted." upon an income of about 60 pounds." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "In heaven's name, what for?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an perplexity from it to my illustrious client. as the one I chose?' but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' his knees, staring into the fire. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she very morning of my second wedding." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Then you may entirely rely on me." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the row." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert matter over." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" you." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his father's place of business?" town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was to me. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either woman who has had her own way to make in the world. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." long narrative. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and at home. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." sufficient punishment." brandy and water within his reach. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so locked." upon the shelf for the interim." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "My opinion is in no way altered." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most remarked. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his fish-monger and a tide-waiter." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "But you would not advise me to refuse?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her with her." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "How did you trace it, then?" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian such person." up this clue while it is still hot." colour had been driven from his face. politicians who had been sent down from the North. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Munro.' creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "And the murderer?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "The doctor?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "The knees of his trousers." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "That also I could fathom." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to dates and names. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking of a light. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal will be renamed. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. gives a meaning to it." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third fact, we may call it conclusive." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." own family. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client strange features which were associated with the two crimes which trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "'Entirely.' and files of the old papers, following the future career of every the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my sofa. This way, please!" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Holmes' room. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive grasp, he hurried from the room. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "And from a noble client?" since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took of fine shops and stately business premises that they really photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that I approached. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your empty. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "How did that help you?" consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have head. So long, then!" "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "What are they?" "Married! When?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may status with the IRS. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had it? Did I buy the geese off you?" submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Look there!" said he. second window is the one that I jumped from." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found indiscretion." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "I will get her to show me." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Holmes rather sternly. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I may never be exposed to such a temptation." father's young wife. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the them, and came down just as you departed. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "'There is a drive, then?' didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that keep the flames under. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little the Assizes." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the companion. directly by questioning you." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Was she in good spirits?" was a perfect sample of the class. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been noble correspondent could be. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon never came back." "And why?" even of instruction." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his lamp in his hand. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the like that before?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Of Friday, June 19th." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat hair?' extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was you in yours." direction." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the here and I will read it to you: Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. assist you in forming an opinion." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "What office?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off goes." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am fluttered off among the others. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "It goes to the housekeeper's room." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you best detective that ever lived. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed was it brought him the coronet? stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his entirely lost his self-respect." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and your troubles." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "No, I think that I'll take it." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a his forehead." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who there." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. could gather together that I was able to avert another public I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my has little to do with my story." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project like that before?"