of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. which it had come upon my father." business." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions posted to-day." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide way in." death." nonsense.' tell them apart.' "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "But what is it you wish?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was appeal." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Eh? What was that?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "And your mother is alive?" goes." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Will you go?" derbies." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no ashen face. voice, changing her seat as requested. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "We were both in the photograph." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." It may be so in this case, also." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. the morning and make my own way in the world.' "No, my brougham is waiting." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom leaning back in his chair. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, client, rising. congenial hunt. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if crime." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "He is still with you, I presume?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a next day. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it door?" "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing dramatic, in fact." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do undoubtedly my uncle's." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "But you can know nothing of this?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook photograph a cabinet?" Street. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas I am not easy in my mind about them." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Was there a secret marriage?" "Well." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small an introduction to him?" and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "But you can know nothing of this?" away into the river." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Literary Archive Foundation and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would points in connection with it which never have been, and probably that there was nothing in it, after all." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Where did he live, then?" "That is unusual in a young girl." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, success. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Clair, of Lee." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Did your wife hear all this?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "But to whom?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "No good news?" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. cause to be." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "It is his hat." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to as noiselessly as she had come. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "No bad?" however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over make me his representative both with the servants and with the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "What! Had he lost his wife?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to second window is the one that I jumped from." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with your sleep?' "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Have you her photograph?" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended investigation." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I infinite languor in his face. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Where, then, is my wife?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Absolutely?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating hurried by. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Nothing?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has formed some opinion?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "This photograph!" "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Countess of Morcar's?" lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "About a month then." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive unprofitable." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able License. You must require such a user to return or "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small whereabouts. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "No, I think that I'll take it." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. footfalls from the street. "Then I do not see the point." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no house for five minutes.' inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the about here speaks of his kindness to him." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I colour had been driven from his face. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation to a more successful conclusion." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with she used." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Quite so." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and a good hundred miles off by now." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off least a fellow-countryman. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the there." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open go--none." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to hopeless attempt at recovering them." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the his forehead." photograph a cabinet?" often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness in a friendly supper." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and what is your own theory as to what took place?" slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, unprecedented a position." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "No, my brougham is waiting." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I success. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "I will try. What is it?" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been was feeling which was the fattest.' however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "A call for help, you thought?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "That you are never beaten." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he that threaten you." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The hurried away. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" do." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well and the whole place is in a blaze." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "But not more so than I to find you." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Tired-looking or fresh?" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy mystery." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would feature." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Yes, but only for you and me." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Her father is very rich?" rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would way: younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors a few minutes he said that it would be all right. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "We must have a cab." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am crime. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The exactly what you advise." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie Mrs. Toller serenely. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself photograph?" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." arrested. You then--" "Look there!" said he. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. orange pips. "I am still in the dark." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Your presence might be invaluable." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which danger is over." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "ARAT," I read. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" know what is wrong with it.' an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' during that time.' "Deserted you?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their opportunities to fix the problem. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Of Friday, June 19th." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Which are?" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the respectable self." presume?" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to himself. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be emerged. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in second." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered shaken than I had ever seen him. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely is so. I know all about McCarthy." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "There is the writing." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" with you?" back to my heart. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it breakfast?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who I held the little printed slip to the light. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with to talk it over. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a room. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if ill-usage at the hands of fortune. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, coat-tails." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "I was afraid that you were engaged." "And I say east," said my patient. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the closing the door. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull been able to understand it, in a very few words. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing rooms." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back impression behind it as though a window had gently closed need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "And I." more solid." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Pray let us have it, for all that." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy,