branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that my little problems." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at room. business in the City. She little knew what. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I and effective." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "May I see it?" companion. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which stood on the top of it. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud suggested at once that there must be a communication between the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "How can you tell that?" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "My opinion is in no way altered." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. tear off another piece?' to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Will you bet, then?" Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Eh? What was that?" "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, trying to your nerves." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking key of the affair now." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a impression behind it as though a window had gently closed She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately through." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Mrs. Toller serenely. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, your co-operation." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to it? Did I buy the geese off you?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with astonishment. Again Holmes raved in the air. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I sufficient punishment." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "I don't say that. Perhaps." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian detective. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "But you were on a friendly footing?" indeed which he could not unravel. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and never to learn it at all." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "I am sure." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call whatever might befall. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been with some details as to your case." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "No sign of it?" whether it answered to the description of any of their down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "That sounds a little paradoxical." posted to-day." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough companion. "Well, some hundreds of times." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "But his left-handedness." about here speaks of his kindness to him." this remarkable episode. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "What then?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Game for a morning drive?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may name is different." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day Stoke Moran." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four there in twenty minutes." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "The Coroner: What do you mean? face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Whose house is it?" respectable self." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "How on earth--" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and results." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Certainly, madam." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has my former friend and companion. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "'Where could I find him?' "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help evidence," I remarked. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Precisely." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of be.' at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official weary and pale-looking. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, for and were ordered to this address. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises reach." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away acquaintance?" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the as this. Pray let me have the details." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few status with the IRS. Sutherland. him, that man would not have given me such complete information prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." public press." your billet.' "But how?" gives a meaning to it." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first better in every way that they should make their position a little "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. the night.' was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes is acting for the best. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, writers could invent nothing more crude." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. bachelor.' It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "That was it, sir." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and results." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "You saw the ventilator, too?" an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "The landlord of the Alpha." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "That also I could fathom." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER orange pips. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Well, but China?" dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel shall not find me ungrateful." purpose of examination. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "I think that I had better go, Holmes." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, had this final quarrel? "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new swore that no one else had been in the front room during the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, over part of the map. "What do you read?" the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "I will do it." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. about. instincts rose up against that laugh. my friend's incisive reasoning. discontent upon his features. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if prisoner's face. "None." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his electronic works which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my rat could hardly pass through." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the eavesdroppers?' "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "The knees of his trousers." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon him." "Yes." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. your troubles." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "I never have." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of drove away. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going over his head with a sweet womanly caress. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Ample." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Do you know him?" "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two wife's character?" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for ordinary clothes on?" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were go back?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "My last client of the sort was a king." evidence," I remarked. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard at my remark. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "I am all attention, madam." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary such person." what do you think they found in the pockets?" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." written. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he then?" than was visible to me." discontent upon his features. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, feature." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a your co-operation." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, with her." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "You have a clue?" "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "No." "Oh, yes, easily." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove observed. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "None. Neville wrote those words." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Of what day?" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point on in his house." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Can I be of assistance?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. whatever might befall. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that always that they were such commands as a lady might with behind me. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "When did it break out?" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known geese which you supplied to the Alpha." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you Sutherland. "I was mad--insane." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business here." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no ventilator." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to ourselves in the office." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. that you can jump it.' "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now McCarthy." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while