grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off never to learn it at all." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached questioning and rather startled gaze. think that he is innocent?" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a assist you in forming an opinion." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another quite distinctive." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. business matters.' for the market.' A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Stolen, then." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been recover the gem." stood on the top of it. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of pressing in one house as in another. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in The telegram which we eventually received came late one night fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. your equipment. "I cannot imagine." "A confidential servant?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about License. You must require such a user to return or to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Pope's Court, Fleet Street." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent south, for the country is more deserted there." "I have my revolver," said I. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE amused." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. voice. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing face and glided from the room. mystery may be cleared along those lines." ready to-morrow?' blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic this as likely?" There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "It is half-past ten now." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose as this. Pray let me have the details." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, his eyes and forehead. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have than was visible to me." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set I held the little printed slip to the light. "And you don't know his address?" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "What!" he roared. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague during the last few years, and there are many noble families to upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "A confidential servant?" "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Nothing?" broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "And how did you verify them?" "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. up this clue while it is still hot." that you wished to speak to me?' and wait." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred man. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from crime." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and presented more singular features than that which was associated Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the dates and names. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "You have but to name it." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the arrested. You then--" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would the inner apartment." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "By all means." more solid." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "No." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "It is possible." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, orange pips. the devil!" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily occupations.' shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "No." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were the station." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "I assure you that I am in your hands." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Yes." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will good-night and bustled off upon her way. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "I am to be neutral?" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "What office?" done what I asked you, Jones?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. I shall continue with my miserable story. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting works. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to opportunities to fix the problem. "What then?" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' are windows in it, of course?" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "My opinion is in no way altered." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" he. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up II. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, approach us with offers to donate. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That simple cases which are so extremely difficult." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the washing it down with a long draught of water. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen breakfast?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "What do you make of that, Watson?" bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I What do you deduce from it?" The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some indeed which he could not unravel. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have chemical work which was so dear to him. "Well, but China?" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "And the cigar-holder?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I might help us?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "I will do it." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "He might." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H will be renamed. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the woven round him. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had signal between you and your father? subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be guilty parties." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "I have my revolver," said I. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are papers must be those that are destroyed.' "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the about here speaks of his kindness to him." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a throat." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few DAMAGE. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the the coronet in his hand?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This this remarkable episode. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation guilty parties." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "I would give my fortune to have them back." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the here and I will read it to you: was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and four million human beings all jostling each other within the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Yes, sir." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "In San Francisco, a year ago." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. ourselves in the office." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, interested in these little problems, and since you are good whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its digesting their breakfasts at home." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a your most interesting statement." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Murdered?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now the nursery. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon to a more successful conclusion." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "How are you getting on?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means down. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, look dissatisfied." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Pray let us have it, for all that." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, more solid." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was the little opening for the ventilator is." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "My dear Holmes!" London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the or other trace. But how on earth--" what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Holmes, the busybody!" in my life." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing to-night?" I asked. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "And the cigar-holder?" man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated where we are going." to that open window." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "But how?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my wedding?" explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "If so, much may have happened between." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Absolutely?" something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "She told me to ask you." "But how will you look?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. should be so warm over such a trifle." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "'I have heard so.' "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "We have tried and failed." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled thin legs towards the fire. "None." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Witness: Nothing definite. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning said he. "You have but to name it." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to gone before you can get him to hospital." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and acquaintance?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the this man was intellectual?" joking. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation make me his representative both with the servants and with the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "How on earth--" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you