screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have dear old homesteads?" was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no III. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "None." hair?' "Yesterday." For additional contact information: impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself there has been an enclosure here!" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small stammered. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "On the contrary, this is the right side." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "But your client--" on re-entering her father's house?" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter strong reason behind." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the be. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." cigars in the box." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you than to us. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Then I can wait in the next room." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "It was a confession," I ejaculated. looking up at the numbers of the houses." call it cruel." and I shall be with you presently." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Precisely." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "None." it means?" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "There is the writing." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable bird I ate is country bred." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "I am armed." "But you can know nothing of this?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is occurred." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "It may not come to that," said Holmes. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" companion imperturbably. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time system of imprisonment?" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There bird of prey. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that straightened it out again. helping a boy to put up the shutters. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my Project Gutenberg-tm works. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what floor. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "What will you say?" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, key of the affair now." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug thirty. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "But he might be a bachelor." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her he. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double pound a week." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "'I am sure if I had known--' that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "I am about to be married." just called myself is not exactly my own." "Ha! you find it so?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot towards the blaze. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the went to the Alpha were town bred." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager daring than any effort of the imagination." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood shall use the carriage to-night." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "From his hat?" but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know already been minutely examined." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your to surprise her." in. "He is dead," cried several voices. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "I cannot think." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying useful material for showing traces. The double line a little quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for works. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel his face. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the door?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "But who is he?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' your equipment. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, rose-bushes. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "It was a confession," I ejaculated. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and trying to your nerves." towards the blaze. sufficient punishment." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally all-comprehensive glances. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "I have seen the police." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left we went to search for him, face downward in a little there has been an enclosure here!" "Then, how do you know?" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short will he say when he returns?" understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea awkward doing business with an alias." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as murdered man." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' very morning of my second wedding." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very see a sister of mine apply for." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." breakfast?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "But he might be a bachelor." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. bachelor.' anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of has little to do with my story." "Then he might have called to you?" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an the address that was given us in the advertisement. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely putting in the horse. and put his glass in his pocket. yards of it?' servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds constraint." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "I cannot imagine." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Dirty?" relation between them, and what the object of his repeated mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the know all about it," he snarled. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on congratulate you again." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. death." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm do.' beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the gone before you can get him to hospital." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps the nursery. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from in darkness. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his bell. Holmes whistled. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the of a light. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "'Ample.' "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. least a most suspicious remark." "And how did you find out?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Dark enough and sinister enough." "When did it break out?" once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." man. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very very morning of my second wedding." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Street. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth cup of tea. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Munro.' footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a him to be an active member of the medical profession." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The directors, with the result that you have seen." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began returning from some small jollification and was making his way the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall for its centre. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "I shall most certainly do so." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Absolutely?" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "I say that I have solved it." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "We have tried and failed." three fields round his house, and there he would take his sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "'As governess?' "It is half-past ten now." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply triumphant cloud from his cigarette. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little happened." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of horse could go." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed night.' said he. "But who is he?" three of the beryls in it, was missing. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and Holmes' room. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we digesting their breakfasts at home." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding closely." might help us?" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. experiences." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "And Miss Sutherland?" so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and at once, for I have only half an hour." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell of your young ladies.' was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "You forget that I know nothing about it." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of notes," he said. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more was a loud and authoritative tap. there is a decided draught." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have