"Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "I shall be delighted." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "You have a clue?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by locked." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be writer." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "You forget that I know nothing about it." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Dark enough and sinister enough." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the shoulder. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "I see no marks." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his was a perfect sample of the class. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended least a most suspicious remark." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over problems help me to do so." "So I am. Very much so." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late to Leatherhead. is worth.' the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "A thing like a cleaver," said he. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun that you wished to speak to me?' aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to shaken than I had ever seen him. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your strode off upon his way. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Nothing?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A 11:15.' itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, them, and came down just as you departed. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, to his chemical studies. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. that, and I came down." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the new duties?' moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Seven!" I answered. sooner or later she must fall a victim. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "No, I think that I'll take it." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "What! Had he lost his wife?" fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed room. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Game for a morning drive?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or the bottom.' "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "What then?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! I. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "And you thought he was pulled back?" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "My dear Holmes!" which it had come upon my father." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy security.' him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That him to be an active member of the medical profession." "And help." Holmes' room. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Ha! you find it so?" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey way in." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm likely to be some crony of the landlady's." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "What steps will you take?" I asked. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." entirely devoid of interest." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I back to my heart. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as an introduction to him?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb companion. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "But his lameness?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Count Von Kramm." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. foresight and the moral retrogression?" "I cannot tell." "His face fell immediately. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental upon a handsome competence. "Where did he live, then?" "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "What!" he roared. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case of Mr. Rucastle's." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no client, rising. outside." which we had just quitted. quite distinctive." Miss Holder?" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." certainly do as you advise." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 on in his house." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "How did he come?" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Why serious?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a strength of mind to control. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has of." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Pray let us have it, for all that." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey about here speaks of his kindness to him." to his chemical studies. very morning of my second wedding." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. guilty parties." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "So it appears." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush it." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low brandy and water within his reach. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as me where it went to?" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the one which it was hard to resist. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from with you alone." made him keep the appointment." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. You want to know what became of those geese?" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could of campaign. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine seven miles from Eyford Station.' lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Your sister is dead, then?" came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a was the fact that his father should, according to his account, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel which are rolled in Rotterdam." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "I don't say that. Perhaps." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "I cannot tell." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding with frightened eyes at his accuser. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Perfectly so." written, and locked the door of the office after me. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, a suggestive one." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been vague figure huddled up in the darkness. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I papers diligently of late, have you not?" the child." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's enter into my head. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said meanly of me." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are envelope. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very visitors." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or During two years I have had three consultations and one small paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the train.' depend upon your compliance." This is what he says: afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "That is not always so easy." "That is easily got." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "A thing like a cleaver," said he. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our prepare for the new role I have to play." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "No, thank goodness, she did not." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I charged with?" second window is the one that I jumped from." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "But how could you guess what the motive was?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Was the window open?" murdered man." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "How can you tell that?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, had died away into the silence from which it rose. hopeless attempt at recovering them." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "I am sure." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. developed." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free remarked. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "'Very good.' gone. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as will find little credit to be gained out of this case." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was were unconscious?" have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "It was." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where The events in question occurred in the early days of my "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very events than those which have happened in my own family." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "We must sit without light. He would see it through the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently question. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew get the tickets." matter." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. the side-table." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my your co-operation." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, now. It seems that there had been some informality about their for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a the side-table." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. she used." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "About a month then." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as just ask you whether you had heard it.' glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late even of instruction." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "No, but the enclosure is." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them