afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." opportunities to fix the problem. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could feature." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon danger is over." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his the dangers which encompass me." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Yes, at the mines." sound at heart." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "By train from Waterloo." strength in the others." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll bare slabs of marble. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "I cannot say that I have." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. chamber." "Certainly." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a from the brougham. Cross for the Continent." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "My dear Holmes!" overpowering excitement and concern. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "What I expected to see." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "She walked into the breakfast-room." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an man. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Did you become engaged then?" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, the salesman. the address that was given us in the advertisement. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "It is no ordinary one." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been shoulder. The summons was a brief and urgent one. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid despaired of." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Very murderous indeed." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Have you it here?" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias here and I will read it to you: company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for appeared upon the scene." "The vanishing of the lady." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in to-night?" I asked. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would colonel looking down at me. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' go back?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have get her out of the way." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "And for present expenses?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir fire. You quite follow me?" "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "I will try. What is it?" "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I his forehead." "I don't believe it." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Then I shall certainly come." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do system of imprisonment?" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition sneer upon his pale face. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended vanished into the darkness. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. there." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had any." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have strength." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Why, it's a dummy," said he. asked. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Were they all fastened this morning?" someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to infinite languor in his face. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "None." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." wedding?" himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after extraordinary contortions. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You you for a few hours?" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock the bottom.' you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which it? Did I buy the geese off you?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I characteristics, but those are the more obvious." and effective." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Eh? What was that?" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be felt?" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and once more for Briony Lodge. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. wedding?" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his window when the police appeared." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, are, and they are waiting for us." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before his knees, staring into the fire. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees power." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a depend upon my doing so.' own family. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "And what did you see?" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two been shamefully used." sooner or later she must fall a victim. "I would pay ten." "How are you getting on?" "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "I am armed." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this The police have openly confessed that they can at present make the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. in him." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Which surely he restored to their owner?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "I will try. What is it?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed letters?" room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of his knees, staring into the fire. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "What is it, then--a fire?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Eyford." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a unkempt, staring out at me. were wasted." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew salesman. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It enter Dr. Roylott's room." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "How did you deduce the select?" With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, papers diligently of late, have you not?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is should be so warm over such a trifle." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little States. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." some city in a dream. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of my friend's incisive reasoning. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "'Quite sure, dad.' still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "No." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "'Yes, it was gone.' "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Nothing." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which fear." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a our word." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "And is that all?" Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "I should like to see him very much." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Yesterday." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and the coroner come to?" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this call you and give you the chance." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A His name is Francis Prosper." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "No, finished." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "And it is--" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own is so. I know all about McCarthy." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, any." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely you." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Why, it's a dummy," said he. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "I was mad--insane." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, photograph a cabinet?" "'What are you doing there?' he asked. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "One?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." true." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon hopeless attempt at recovering them." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' disappearance of these gems?" chambers. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew discontent upon his features. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. tell me that you intended to go into harness." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" lumber-room." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after in this note: to-night." "Murdered?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large to change my dress. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from awaited us upon the table. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "That is also quite modern," said the lady. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than