their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, all?" precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "None." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to of them has the shutters up.' James Windibank. Voilà tout!" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began light and attacked it." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might was lame." "About a month then." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and geese which you supplied to the Alpha." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings your room." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I hurried by. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" charge against him will break down." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than matter." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler before the coroner and the police-court." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur through." address. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" shoulder; "he's all right." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide the warnings." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "What do you mean?" "He is still with you, I presume?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem how narrow had been my escape. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted to Leatherhead. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt you understand?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I me. You must get home instantly and act." for and were ordered to this address. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "You did not overhear what they said?" observed. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom pity, because in other respects you would really have done very years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the opportunities to fix the problem. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had a monotonous occupation." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the Munro.' feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "And I say east," said my patient. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "But how?" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with at my own good fortune. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in galvanised. "On Monday." of Fenchurch Street." to that open window." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "What I expected to see." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: drawing your inferences." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do for and were ordered to this address. "Was there a secret marriage?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even gentleman's clothes. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Well, some hundreds of times." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, back to my heart. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." breakfast." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen you for a few hours?" dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "No." orange pips. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, written, and locked the door of the office after me. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of or in danger--" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand fatally injured? the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "An enemy?" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "No, thank goodness, she did not." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled could gather together that I was able to avert another public about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "You were travelling in the States?" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning served to weaken the effect. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "'I have heard so.' case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' and that he would see to anything that turned up. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive corner of the building. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about companion. "You saw the ventilator, too?" "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" even of instruction." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going depend upon your compliance." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It weary and pale-looking. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him served to weaken the effect. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being From what you have told me I think that it is possible that glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Yes." "What is it, then--a fire?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he is so. I know all about McCarthy." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better one of them." to a light-house. Arthur Conan Doyle "But what is it you wish?" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "That's no good." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out all that?" would then never go into court at all." not, dad?" she asked. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "He said too much." go from here to the Strand." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Did your wife hear all this?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the coronet in his hand?" on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a that the gas is not laid on in his house?" page at http://pglaf.org forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes daring than any effort of the imagination." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Dirty?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been voice. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "You have the photograph?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying fasten all the windows?" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "None." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. what is your own theory as to what took place?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." something of him before." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Nor running a chance of arrest?" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to instincts rose up against that laugh. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of do.' here and I will read it to you: "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. are, I think, all that we need." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "It surprised me." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "No sign of it?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our dramatic, in fact." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little village inn over there?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought sooner or later she must fall a victim. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "I see no marks." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Upon what point?" strength." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "And how did you find out?" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. when your master had gone out." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all voice. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Perfectly so." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very highroad, where all traces were lost. you for a few hours?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Texas, I think." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the once more for Briony Lodge. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my if only as a check to my own memory." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made child?' another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Have you it here?" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a more terrible than the truth. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some not fit the lock." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly quick march!" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "You did not overhear what they said?" you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "But I am all in the dark." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. friend's singular character. bearing upon the case." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to anything to do with the matter?" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was several quiet little villages up there." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other conceal it?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook here." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a to you." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had other means.' down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "I am following you closely," I answered. This is what he says: that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every is," said he presently: save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I