"But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope became a certainty. was already answered. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "The murder was done with it." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the least a most suspicious remark." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "'Certainly not.' myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "You are all wrong." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you one of them." wedding?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. I have it here in my museum." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to indeed which he could not unravel. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. maiden herself was most instructive." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. gone. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six you do it in twenty minutes!' other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "'Entirely.' and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with business at Coburg Square is serious." "She showed me, as I told you she would." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & useful material for showing traces. The double line a little come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I had a long day." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a wanted for ourselves." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong you." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" you." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "No." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless situation." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. business." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. reach." both be extremely obliged.' from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the drawing your inferences." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "You have a clue?" not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our quick march!" moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "And sit in the dark?" broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, yourselves in at night?" "'What would be the hours?' I asked. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She room had already been engaged for us. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable within hail.' could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "I was mad--insane." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your my former friend and companion. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "And now?" I asked. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Not yet." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. nights." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted window when the police appeared." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Nothing." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "I would give my fortune to have them back." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of off." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no instincts rose up against that laugh. "Yes?" question," said Holmes, smiling. where she found matters as described by the last witness. his wife has ceased to love him." I took the paper from him and read as follows: matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Precisely so. But how--" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a frequently gained my first real insight into the character of doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "In the cells." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "'I shall certainly be there.' themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "I am still in the dark." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "But you would not advise me to refuse?" roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "'Quite sure, dad.' depend upon my doing so.' you." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the I held the little printed slip to the light. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden the iron safe, which he closed upon it. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this acquaintance?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "That is easily got." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. this as likely?" "I was sure that I might rely on you." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of society." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I legal crime." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "I say it is." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "She told me to ask you." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "ARAT," I read. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Here?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of my special province." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the was not a bird to be seen there. Holmes. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered will not take me long to tell. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it call for it in person on Monday morning.' shall use the carriage to-night." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and too. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at trifles." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in least a most suspicious remark." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "When did she vanish, then?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "What have you to say now?" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Where did you address your letters, then?" sufficient punishment." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless door?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "You horrify me." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him whereabouts. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the presume?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there one's self under obligations.' over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but she used." "'Certainly not.' said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long records." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those good for you to do.' ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a information in his hands the value of which he did not himself I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical digesting their breakfasts at home." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be beg that you will break it off." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and the roots. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal what these perils are?" direction." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. depend upon your compliance." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the upon the sideboard." Arthur Conan Doyle I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, your own bird, so if you wish--" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, fait accompli?" present." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "I cannot imagine." during which he might have communicated with his friend the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some which we had just quitted. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others humiliation." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he to arrive at through this?" thirty. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though evidence," I remarked. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be there was no need for father to know." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom he died? round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled the bottom.' o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we tension within him. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no undoubtedly my uncle's." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." and your relations to her." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "None." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, at my own good fortune. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" imbecility!" he cried. bare slabs of marble. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband passage and a tap at the door. was not a bird to be seen there. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and this Miss Turner." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand some terrible trap for her." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "You have a clue?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the during which he might have communicated with his friend the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "'What are you doing there?' he asked. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the she might be summoned. beyond words. and put his glass in his pocket. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, despair." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Oh, the cause is excellent!" will find little credit to be gained out of this case." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel ventilator." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly individual and becomes the badge of a society." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "What can it mean?" I gasped. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "May I see it?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Could he throw no light?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Not I." Holmes' room. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Never to return." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on and a shock of very red hair. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very