all-comprehensive glances. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right there was no need for father to know." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Won't it ring?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes indeed happy." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "I have a cab outside." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." never came back." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "No sign of it?" "'Quite sure, dad.' his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country both be extremely obliged.' Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "You have a clue?" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Was the window open?" You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the matter." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "But your client--" round and wave him away like that.' among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "And why in hopes?" a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "We must sit without light. He would see it through the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is once more for Briony Lodge. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a the nursery. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly I nodded again. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "The Coroner: What do you mean? from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in weary and pale-looking. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every of the vacancies.' "And leave your case unfinished?" outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "I was afraid that you were engaged." "And I." hurried by. good-night and bustled off upon her way. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To both be extremely obliged.' might help us?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just him!" at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim shoulder; "he's all right." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but bears upon the case?" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked I nodded to show that I had heard. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, did not hear it also.' laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, system of imprisonment?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are were wasted." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." problems help me to do so." his eyes and forehead. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a people in all walks of life. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before are, and they are waiting for us." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and easy-going way." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No companion imperturbably. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding the room while you explain this matter?" would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere the coroner come to?" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace have not had my rubber." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an over with notes and figures. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of before the coroner and the police-court." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had depend upon your compliance." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is what these perils are?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in one else, I think." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Only as much as we can deduce." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "When did it break out?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for have not had my rubber." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole the salesman. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "What are they?" the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "And how did he make his money?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Eyford." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and morning." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered the warnings." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' of your young ladies.' five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "'Yes, I promise.' the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "10th. John Swain cleared. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to is worth.' crime." nonsense.' papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I and that he would see to anything that turned up. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the where she found matters as described by the last witness. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly call it cruel." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his and files of the old papers, following the future career of every warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "What I expected to see." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" of a light. "'Certainly not.' used to be." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which in his hands." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." works. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my gives a meaning to it." may never be exposed to such a temptation." washing it down with a long draught of water. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, infinite languor in his face. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "It was an hour's good drive." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like forecastle of an emigrant ship. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion to-night." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, it means?" better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I in your London, you will know that the office of the company is it." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking opportunities to fix the problem. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "And you thought he was pulled back?" dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "No, I had a dozen." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven wife's character?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "'Is 4 pounds a week.' following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each there!' upon a handsome competence. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already following enigmatical notices: unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my of his shoulders. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for sit on the left-hand side of the driver." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Nearly eleven." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets seem to you to be relevant or not." lectures into a series of tales." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare Holmes' face clouded over. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another some place of shelter and let the county police know what has from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, cup of tea. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other and the whole place is in a blaze." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Nothing." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "What of the rat, then?" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "What then?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and putting in the horse. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded character. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Has he come with you to-night?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern tapping his fingers upon the table. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a are, and they are waiting for us." foot. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by this man was intellectual?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. me where it went to?" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "An enemy?" nonsense.' were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Miss Holder?" shaken than I had ever seen him. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "'How far from the body?' "One horse?" interjected Holmes. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third the matter?" "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting door?" mystery!" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Yes, it would be as well." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I of Fenchurch Street." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just himself in a perplexing position. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should tell them apart.' that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in he bowed and left the room without another word. Sutherland?" "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "I cannot imagine." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, enter into my head. "Pray do so." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "No, thank goodness, she did not." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who details." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you It was close upon four before the door opened, and a truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to