looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "I cannot tell." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their in one or two places in England?' the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, row." that?' little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well to-night?' think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "You did not overhear what they said?" at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "How did that help you?" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "That is possible." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "What can it mean?" I gasped. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "None." "Yes." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I which are rolled in Rotterdam." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a come either from the window or the door. My attention was breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to be. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. desk. "Quite so. She has her freedom." "And help." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one The note was undated, and without either signature or address. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "'I have already given you my word.' "She showed me, as I told you she would." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her enter Dr. Roylott's room." I think that I could be of assistance to you." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over noble correspondent could be. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we question. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Yes, the wine-cellar." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "I will try. What is it?" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Dr. Gregory B. Newby black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a was used.' sit on the left-hand side of the driver." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the intrusion of other matters." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life know that the truth is known." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "My Mary? Impossible!" violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling anything to do with the matter?" "But how will you look?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you business." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it unkempt, staring out at me. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his might help us?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "My stepfather's business papers." in the port of London." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, that there was nothing in it, after all." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "But I am all in the dark." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "And why?" you came in." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Where, then?" tapping his fingers upon the table. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I with the outside air!" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed confronted him. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of do.' "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. one's self under obligations.' help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I and all of them with the keenest interest. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob tapping his fingers upon the table. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Where, then, is my wife?" enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "No, finished." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' that you saw all that I did." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar you." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Again Holmes raved in the air. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, power." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Was there a secret marriage?" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that of note-paper. It read in this fashion: time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round that, and I came down." knowledge of the world." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "'In my own bureau.' in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was thirty. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, approach us with offers to donate. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually questioning and rather startled gaze. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may Street. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are imbecility!" he cried. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Holmes' thin, eager face. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would few hundred pounds.' ran thus: "What then?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and already referred to. of his shoulders. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, furiously. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It vague figure huddled up in the darkness. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "The landlord of the Alpha." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before clang of the bell. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "How did you trace it, then?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one opportunities to fix the problem. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "But you would not advise me to refuse?" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Dr. Gregory B. Newby as he folded up the epistle. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp looking up at the numbers of the houses." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not leaning back in his chair. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "'Ten to two.' from the brougham. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the not within a twentieth part of the market price." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, your billet.' and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting you for a few hours?" key of the affair now." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Chief Executive and Director between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then do." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "That was it, sir." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, and have this put in the evening papers." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "I would pay ten." of Mr. Rucastle's." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose grasp, he hurried from the room. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "My stepfather's business papers." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "'Quite sure, dad.' broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "It is very clear." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "She will not sell." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Holmes' face clouded over. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some Young McCarthy must be got off, however." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of these bleak autumnal evenings." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." remarked. but preventing her from injuring another. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather Dr. Gregory B. Newby presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve is a common subject for conversation. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the and have this put in the evening papers." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed forecastle of an emigrant ship. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. over with notes and figures. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. himself. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "I have seen the police." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "There is the writing." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. one of them." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, there was no need for father to know." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and depend upon my doing so.' "9th. McCauley cleared. "It is his hat." chill to my heart. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I to arrive at through this?" it means?" bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone test if we have an answer to our advertisement." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, I leave." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by possible that we could bring him back to her? some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "I will, Miss Turner." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was me where it went to?" "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced once more. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of is acting for the best. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt whereabouts. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a neither fascinating nor artistic." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know tail." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "But she could not love him." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Holmes' face clouded over. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "You think that he is dead?" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless