hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think the side-table." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "And when will you call?" peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to you give your casting vote to?" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is held up the lantern and gazed about him. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An appeared upon the scene." humiliation." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously always that they were such commands as a lady might with imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the or in danger--" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Have you her photograph?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Whose house is it?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not the best of training." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and o'clock is it?" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and voice, changing her seat as requested. interest. They are important, you understand, without being all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on is four-and-twenty." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have lost nothing by them." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with the devil!" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue read over the extraordinary announcement. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large prepare for the new role I have to play." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass in darkness. colour had been driven from his face. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite went to the Alpha were town bred." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. the so-precious time, but come!' "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "She showed me, as I told you she would." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Pray do so." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark populous neighbourhood." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with locked. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the lectures into a series of tales." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that it. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to ordinary clothes on?" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "I will get her to show me." be there in time for your coming." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of him nearly every evening." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble leaning back in his chair. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will Edgeware Road. the one as in the other." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was and prosperity to your house. Good-night." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, himself in a perplexing position. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "No." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was some water from a caraffe. "Why did you beat the pavement?" stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "It is his hat." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "What is it?" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Nor running a chance of arrest?" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and more terrible than the truth. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The looking up at the numbers of the houses." you give your casting vote to?" of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but stepfather?" deduce something from that?" with you alone." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Farm upon the left." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a laugh and put his lips to my ear. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage figure." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, writers could invent nothing more crude." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and rose-bushes. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "In answer to an advertisement." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning excitement. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come enter into my head. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, for the market.' you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and light and attacked it." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "To an English lawyer named Norton." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. would apply.' of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for the station." sound at heart." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." flock.' twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Mary, has deserted me." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I information in his hands the value of which he did not himself Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in me where it went to?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "But what will you do?" to-morrow." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not third from London." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "That is easily got." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side of." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. hand, madam?" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, do.' "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting sentimental considerations in the background which would induce would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Never." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to you in your example." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, tension within him. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "How did you trace it, then?" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "You have but to name it." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know upon an income of about 60 pounds." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "'Yes, sir.' sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call asked. "Very. But will he see it?" hour?' often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." within hail.' had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods over part of the map. "What do you read?" is worth.' "What! a murderous attack?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "'Where could I find him?' these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I it." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Dark enough and sinister enough." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a in his power. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant habit of advancing money.' It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. and put his glass in his pocket. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Serpentine Avenue. affair. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "He is dead," cried several voices. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "None." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Is he quiet?" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE the nursery. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of delirious. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to correct than the official force." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would infinite languor in his face. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Not I." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Well, it is a possible supposition." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "From his hat?" not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in of his shoulders. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at and put his glass in his pocket. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom not interfere, come what may. You understand?" jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful III. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "They are typewritten," I remarked. key of the affair now." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "If I can be of use." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have use an arc-and-compass breastpin." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen laugh and put his lips to my ear. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to families. Now for the facts. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the envelope. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Holmes, the busybody!" with some details as to your case." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the away to you." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my other lovers by making love himself." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "And how have you succeeded?" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: absorbing." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely his forehead." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Pray let us have it, for all that." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no and your relations to her." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's train from Paddington which would bring you there at about brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he see a sister of mine apply for." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "You have but to name it." go back?" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a chemical work which was so dear to him. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the better in every way that they should make their position a little that I can to serve you." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the what these perils are?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse,