"Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Leadenhall Street--and--" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Yes." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so point our research must commence, and we will begin it by society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make the Assizes." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "But you have hopes?" safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute been." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about to-night?' of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of considering the formidable letters which were received by himself To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try awaited us upon the table. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "I see many objections to any such theory." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I never to learn it at all." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "But the mystery?" that you can jump it.' "Precisely." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed light and attacked it." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Holmes' thin, eager face. the inner apartment." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "'Never,' said I. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "In San Francisco, a year ago." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "No, but the enclosure is." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "I don't believe it." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the have been better. It is all right." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." present." "I have seen the police." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but have had none more fantastic than this." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it God! What an exposure! What can I do?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a past. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Pool. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a something of him before." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Nor running a chance of arrest?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. awkward doing business with an alias." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Yes." morning." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he any." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of you give your casting vote to?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Nothing?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. chemical work which was so dear to him. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "I am still in the dark." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white opened a pocket-book and took out a note. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "'Then let me do so?' on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously against a man in the prime of life?" he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third shoulder; "he's all right." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss is acting for the best. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you noting anything else of interest. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Yes, from Horsham." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Why, it's a dummy," said he. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste considering the formidable letters which were received by himself Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "What!" he roared. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in exactly what you advise." shoulder. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that front of the hall door has given its name to the place. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "And help." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur think you a quite exceptional woman." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his http://www.gutenberg.net "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. other means.' He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Was he the only applicant?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of this as likely?" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "BALLARAT." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Then I can wait in the next room." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our round and wave him away like that.' some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "'There is a drive, then?' Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered breakfast?" beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her excitement. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into recover the gem." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one think that any burglar could have done. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." quickly through a disagreeable task. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "By no means." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall their singular warning or token before them when starting upon a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he some mystery and the punishment of some crime." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "And when will you call?" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "The decline of his fortunes, then?" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness security.' inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy through." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little weigh very heavily upon my conscience." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close which I could not give. He asked for Alice. and it need not interfere very much with one's other access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently this as likely?" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Well, but China?" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he are windows in it, of course?" "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken you came in." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill bare slabs of marble. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Well." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy meanly of me." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "But how?" you, my dear young lady?' public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm annoyance, but no jest. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg charged with?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said was lame." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after look upon these things in a different way." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Oh, yes, easily." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "No." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "I will try. What is it?" the house with me." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Yes." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the bled considerably." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is the one as in the other." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the chance at all." the coronet in his hands?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter furiously. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has ways of our fellow-men." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had digesting their breakfasts at home." happened." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you all that?" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my what these perils are?" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise events than those which have happened in my own family." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked shoulder. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "You were travelling in the States?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "You have compromised yourself seriously." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a James Windibank. Voilà tout!" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts head. So long, then!" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "My last client of the sort was a king." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we relief. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch with the outside air!" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't test if we have an answer to our advertisement." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "I shall be delighted." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "I have seen the police." locked." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: that you wished to speak to me?' was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly all?" "An enemy?" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "It's nothing of the kind." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' fattened it expressly for you.' any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin it means?" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Your sister is dead, then?" "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, cheerful." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and and laid it on the table. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had hurried by. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Certainly." "She will not sell." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Who was the criminal, then?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is province." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "I have a cab outside." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" I was concerned in it." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "To an end?" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of His smile broadened. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon