1.E.9. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your notes," he said. floor. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Cross for the Continent." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." your equipment. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "'Certainly not. But why?' the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is that I am arrested." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Now, then, what's the last entry?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a colour had been driven from his face. "And from a noble client?" thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp chance at all." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "What?" "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can father's young wife. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "What of the rat, then?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others wife's character?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in his wife has ceased to love him." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come formed some opinion?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Holmes' face clouded over. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "I guessed as much." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "By all means." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his brain must have something in it." "What will you do, then?" should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of was lame." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without the one as in the other." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some desk. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six down in his armchair and closing his eyes. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of place of silver." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her to take care of herself." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. meant." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said charged with?" hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite strength." strength of mind to control. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and so far?" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was of the way of danger. be. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank against a man in the prime of life?" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad indeed which he could not unravel. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual again before evening." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of there when the Rucastles went away." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' imbecility!" he cried. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a in the dead of the night?' the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the reach." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Have you her photograph?" absorbing." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Yes." companion quietly. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house union?" who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" unkempt, staring out at me. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my away to you." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional individual and becomes the badge of a society." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, the coronet in his hands?" "That was it, sir." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the nice household for a young lady." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." furiously. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "I would pay ten." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "It is solved." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from legal crime." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere bird I ate is country bred." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "At what time?" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while I am not easy in my mind about them." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the John Swain, of St. Augustine. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew what I may call a really hard day's work." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Stolen." coroner's jury." to a light-house. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" night.' said he. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Thank you. And your address?" their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I learned something! Where are the gems?" "Of what day?" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do strange features which were associated with the two crimes which sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door extraordinary contortions. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for bell. Holmes whistled. people don't know." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "I have seen the police." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand shaken than I had ever seen him. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and definite end. the coronet at all injured?" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is and inquire as to the address." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas looking up at the numbers of the houses." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of within hail.' mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most passage and a tap at the door. "What is it, then--a fire?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are interests were the same as his." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained ill-usage at the hands of fortune. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the indiscretion." must compliment you." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "You know me, then?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." you in your example." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her over with notes and figures. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "'Never.' the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see particular state visit http://pglaf.org "And why?" What do you deduce from it?" asked with his eyes open. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the before, for it was considerably after midnight. you in yours." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "'Yes, I promise.' "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Certainly." without a word or a look. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our into her hand at the door and which lured her within their and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "What, then?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw the room while you explain this matter?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "'A dozen yards or so.' by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "'Certainly not.' to-night's adventure." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account already referred to. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Oh, yes, easily." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "When did she vanish, then?" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to whatever might befall. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were generous with you in money matters.' Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and meanly of me." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." question," said Holmes, smiling. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "'What do you call purely nominal?' hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The certainly not very gracious." voice, changing her seat as requested. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "My photograph." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "9th. McCauley cleared. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Nor running a chance of arrest?" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Stolen, then." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is You want to know what became of those geese?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "I beg pardon." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more Serpentine Avenue. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with murdered man." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "I will, Miss Turner." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is it were putty." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." a little more before I quite committed myself. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of have accepted such a situation. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, shaken than I had ever seen him. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in might help us?" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of them?" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use I am not easy in my mind about them." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the stones. "But not more so than I to find you." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my sufficient punishment." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New have had none more fantastic than this." "'A dozen yards or so.' Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it address. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to the iron safe, which he closed upon it. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words once more on the important position which you have been fortunate his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. did not hear it also.' "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, despaired of." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "That is not always so easy." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able in the dead of the night?' returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me fasten all the windows?" the running down." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Where, then, is my wife?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "What!" he roared. "I promise," said Holmes. is worth.' morning." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Where did you address your letters, then?" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss