uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he companion. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings main points of my analysis." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "How are you getting on?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold door?" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would must be when I saw the door open.' I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in His smile broadened. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to have got?" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Then, as to money?" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing charge against him will break down." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Very much so." that I am arrested." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my some water from a caraffe. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. already referred to. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold good-night and bustled off upon her way. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "But she could not love him." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "No more words. Get out!" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "And from a noble client?" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your like gravel from a pit.' broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Tired-looking or fresh?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered throat." felt the room to be a little close.' thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, DISSOLVED. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, must be when I saw the door open.' "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court straighten it?" for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "'What would be the hours?' I asked. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "It's nothing of the kind." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "But how did you gain them?" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some up this clue while it is still hot." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' cigars in their mouths. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "And why?" Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "He might." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger conclusions. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully o'clock is it?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was been deceived." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "And Miss Sutherland?" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his during that time.' anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire to where he stood hid behind the curtain. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some standing smiling on the door-step. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few and the church but not where the lady lived." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Yes, but only for you and me." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and of Fenchurch Street." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There with some details as to your case." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a the house with me." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Yes, I have one waiting." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how happened." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "I was certainly surprised to find you there." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "'As governess?' and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, even of instruction." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "A client, then?" were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her more solid." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "What can it mean?" I gasped. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. as yours." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I to-night?" I asked. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "He said that you could solve anything." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon south, for the country is more deserted there." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" bird I ate is country bred." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the she used." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full or other trace. But how on earth--" suggested at once that there must be a communication between the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the golden eyeglasses. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. name is different." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am the bed, and you in that chair." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Then what has happened to him?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in the very morning of the wedding." events than those which have happened in my own family." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, forecastle of an emigrant ship. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as than was visible to me." "I have solved it." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "My stepfather's business papers." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his It may be so in this case, also." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Here?" "Why, what do you mean?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Holmes' room. was used.' "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of the driver. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Did you become engaged then?" bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "I have solved it." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." writer." of his shoulders. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Yes." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake the so-precious time, but come!' it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "And I say east," said my patient. do.' late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are speckled band?" "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the in. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as bill, which interests me deeply." "Certainly." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, for securing the situation." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" to arrive at through this?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better towards the blaze. look upon these things in a different way." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who room?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have which are rolled in Rotterdam." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too weapon." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had to change my dress. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his vague figure huddled up in the darkness. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Doctor, of the paper and the date." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the him to be an active member of the medical profession." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Yes." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "That is possible." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "He is dead," cried several voices. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Clair, of Lee." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Yesterday." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "No. What a strange idea!" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "I guessed as much." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case chance at all." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE the bed, and you in that chair." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say lids now and glanced across at his visitor. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a this man was intellectual?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I fattened it expressly for you.' "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that with you?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with the coroner come to?" window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and events than those which have happened in my own family." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do constraint." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "It is his hat." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. hand, madam?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Yes." "Can I be of assistance?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such ordinary clothes on?" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off name is different." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, opportunities to fix the problem. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. know all about it," he snarled. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I you for a few hours?" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "And that is--" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in society." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in over here." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Then you may be so with me." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had