could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "In San Francisco, a year ago." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." I held the little printed slip to the light. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "I have come for advice." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "That sounds a little paradoxical." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from meant it for the best. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "How did he come?" "And I." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you burst into a hearty fit of laughter. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon which was all perfectly true. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently lids now and glanced across at his visitor. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "The Coroner: What do you mean? came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "No, finished." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" colonel looking down at me. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "'I have already given you my word.' is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "'A dozen yards or so.' to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an likely to be some crony of the landlady's." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; reach." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then more terrible than the truth. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, Holmes' thin, eager face. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets writer." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may it. were unconscious?" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, lamp. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "I am to be neutral?" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "But who is he?" "'I shall certainly be there.' folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I paper in the air. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Not yet." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that my room." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Yes, I have one waiting." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his wall." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Yes, sir." is a common subject for conversation. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't with some details as to your case." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "What, then?" lamp in his hand. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From bears upon the case?" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our were new raised from a basin. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a corner of the building. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall approach us with offers to donate. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread electronic works having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Yes, it would be as well." down. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of Heh?' exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Witness: I must still refuse. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Tired-looking or fresh?" think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" about here speaks of his kindness to him." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing London for the present?" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the with some details as to your case." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a clanging. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" confronted him. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Get out!" said he. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, he. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers the warnings." do you make of it all?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no guilty parties." up this clue while it is still hot." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be felt?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. man. I know him from the photograph." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind you." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, within hail.' tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Did your wife hear all this?" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that of it with the greatest attention. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something particular state visit http://pglaf.org discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "No." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow will he say when he returns?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest go back?" "One?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "That is unusual in a young girl." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it to change my dress. handed it to him. to miss it." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "What is it?" "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most galvanised. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Yes, sir." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Dr. Becher's." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" chill to my heart. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come locked. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Only as much as we can deduce." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more his face which made him a very different person to the round, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself Lestrade of Scotland Yard." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right head. So long, then!" waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular forehead. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate get the tickets." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed all-comprehensive glances. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, charged with?" sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out away in different directions, and I went off to make my own go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he whereabouts. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "None." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return happened." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "No." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "If so, much may have happened between." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, correct than the official force." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" beyond words. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give back to my heart. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your photograph?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and very old mansion. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him was not a bird to be seen there. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of vague figure huddled up in the darkness. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "And the murderer?" your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country this remarkable episode. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that brain must have something in it." I shall communicate with you." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight front of the hall door has given its name to the place. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "'I am sure that I do not know.' key turn in the lock." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. that there was nothing in it, after all." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Perhaps we may make them less so." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A his wife has ceased to love him." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very room?" beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air were new raised from a basin. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from are, I think, all that we need." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "You horrify me." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said go back?" companion quietly. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you tightly behind him. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "'Yes, it was gone.' know what is wrong with it.' the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of God! What an exposure! What can I do?" danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler to you." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Do you go out much in society?" "How about poison?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire beyond words. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "But your client--" yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of call it cruel." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Where, then?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "But how did you gain them?" signal between you and your father? fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I invisible to me," I remarked. "Here?" liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt the south-west, I see." "9th. McCauley cleared. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "And the cigar-holder?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she James Windibank. Voilà tout!" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire