"None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "He is still with you, I presume?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "And you don't know his address?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. several quiet little villages up there." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you to me. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "And I." in my life." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them quick march!" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed discontent upon his features. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to mystery!" fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "What of the rat, then?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "The knees of his trousers." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing child?' poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue it with his own hands." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "'You cannot say what it was?' "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of ran thus: "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the tied." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "No legal papers or certificates?" "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. charged with?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and the house with me." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have me have 200 pounds?' "Not in a good cause." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "I have seen the police." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the main points of my analysis." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir question," said Holmes, smiling. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Why did you beat the pavement?" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek to change my dress. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Dirty?" the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six closing the door. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that happened." the morning and make my own way in the world.' Holmes." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "'As governess?' editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and his face which made him a very different person to the round, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in straighten it?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap I have it here in my museum." seen the man in the road." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the spark where all is dark to me." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, appeared upon the scene." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" said he. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than my friend's incisive reasoning. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. British peeress.'" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "What do you make of that, Watson?" whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, I. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' His name is Francis Prosper." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an introspective fashion. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "You are all wrong." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit bed dies. Does not that strike you?" explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "And from a noble client?" "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "No, I had a dozen." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "'How far from the body?' and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a rat could hardly pass through." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I the coronet in his hands?" hereditary King of Bohemia." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "'Most admirably.' to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Eyford." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to to a more successful conclusion." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a points in connection with it which never have been, and probably upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect do.' International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his off." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your his forehead." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Breckinridge is his name." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always tassel actually lying upon the pillow. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium over here." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "And how have you succeeded?" 1.F. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the of a light. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side details should find their way into the papers. Inspector drove away. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, some place of shelter and let the county police know what has him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "And you thought he was pulled back?" think that he is innocent?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' sneer upon his pale face. stammered. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by national property. I was determined that the law should have its "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar desk. "My private note-paper." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they strode off upon his way. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then returning from some small jollification and was making his way are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a at my own good fortune. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Then what has happened to him?" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had upon an income of about 60 pounds." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "'Never,' said I. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "You have the photograph?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "You have carte blanche." "Pray let us have it, for all that." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "On your arm?" fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just delirious. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." lamp in his hand. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. than to us. when you have done it." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "I am in hopes that she does." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing less than 26s. 4d. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Where did you address your letters, then?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "What! a murderous attack?" "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "'In my own bureau.' some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good like gravel from a pit.' since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I completely overtopped every other consideration that we both be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "I think that it is very probable." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." to Leatherhead. approach us with offers to donate. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who matter." "But what will you do?" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to look upon these things in a different way." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or very peculiar words of the dying woman?" were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "When did it break out?" flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "No. His orders were to stay in the house." woven round him. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that *** START: FULL LICENSE *** you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a discontent upon his features. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in opened the door, and slipped through. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Not yet." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is second window is the one that I jumped from." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "It is very clear." "There are none." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to