a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "But what harm can there be in that?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was unclasping of his long thin hands. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Come in!" said Holmes. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "So I heard. You have him here?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among said he. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in go back?" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to place of silver." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "I beg pardon." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, was a perfect sample of the class. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at assist you in forming an opinion." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, looking up at the numbers of the houses." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. indiscretion." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and call you and give you the chance." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic golden eyeglasses. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a him to be an active member of the medical profession." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." round with crates and massive boxes. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "It missed him, then?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making into the room. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your remarked. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "So it appears." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER said I. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." views." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "But I am all in the dark." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we paper in the air. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if and a shock of very red hair. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he locked. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "How are you getting on?" bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it redistribution. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would present." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it hands. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Perfectly so." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in any." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "You horrify me!" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "No sign of it?" "No." "It is possible." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "And how did you verify them?" in the dead of the night?' "One of the highest in England." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when his fortune, and I went back to pa. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Yes. He waved his hands." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." Sutherland. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Holmes' face clouded over. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "I will get her to show me." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "I was mad--insane." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "And you don't know his address?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Always." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. better in every way that they should make their position a little Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Pray tell us what has happened to you." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "And what did you learn from him?" to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would test if we have an answer to our advertisement." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. something of him before." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do matter." Pool. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he The police have openly confessed that they can at present make hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "'Yes, sir.' "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush the bottom.' of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "And how did he make his money?" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. details." you do it in twenty minutes!' "Entirely." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular noble correspondent could be. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the I was concerned in it." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to coroner's jury." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "I never have." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." you in yours." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." were new raised from a basin. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." one of the states of the Union." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and that he will be back before evening." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "No, but the enclosure is." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian Watson," he said cordially. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "What is it?" "And how in the world did you find them?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Frequently." have established a very serious case against the son of the "And your father? Did you tell him?" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "I warn you that they are very incomplete." mystery." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Munro.' his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he question. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "No. What a strange idea!" "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now directors, with the result that you have seen." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is the Assizes." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in papers on the sundial.'" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Lee, in the county of Kent." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "I know where it is." hand, madam?" slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a she used." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless that I am arrested." be best to do. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at outside. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, joking. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Where, indeed?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, the matter?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my bell. Holmes whistled. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the iron safe, which he closed upon it. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very went to the Alpha were town bred." grasp, he hurried from the room. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "It certainly sounds feasible." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "No." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Nothing." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "In San Francisco, a year ago." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we sooner or later she must fall a victim. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked his huge brown hands. call it cruel." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" main points of my analysis." "By train from Waterloo." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn infinite languor in his face. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "We have tried and failed." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the and all of them with the keenest interest. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late relief. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over fish-monger and a tide-waiter." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "You think that he is dead?" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Pray do so." out of this horrible affair." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a gbnewby@pglaf.org "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" emerged. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "It's nothing of the kind." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case should be so warm over such a trifle." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all the coronet at all injured?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a tell him that I know him to be innocent." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" opened the door, and slipped through. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on interest. They are important, you understand, without being me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "He said that you could solve anything." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "An accident, I presume?" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his woman who has had her own way to make in the world. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel power." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to the so-precious time, but come!' the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it your bag." "He is still with you, I presume?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to Holmes. "Not I." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they my friend's incisive reasoning. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "No, my brougham is waiting." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "But who is he?"