Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "But we can't all be." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "They are typewritten," I remarked. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At you in yours." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining locked. your most interesting statement." constraint." and the whole place is in a blaze." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking use an arc-and-compass breastpin." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most wedding?" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told as yours." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while fire. You quite follow me?" "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely vague figure huddled up in the darkness. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "And it is--" "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "What, then?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" married her." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "'Certainly not. But why?' "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an in him." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "And it is--" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the breakfast." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are vault. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my joking. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "My last client of the sort was a king." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Where to?" "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Imitated." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in geese which you supplied to the Alpha." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you been lifted and conveyed somewhere." for securing the situation." all that?" the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Game for a morning drive?" which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "That is easily got." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between very peculiar words of the dying woman?" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. beyond words. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "'What do you call purely nominal?' happened." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as already referred to. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I despair." "It is his hat." at once, for I have only half an hour." disturbance in my wife." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't deduce something from that?" paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Stolen, then." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where be best to do. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the forecastle of an emigrant ship. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There and I shall be with you presently." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the death." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the inquest, and which are worth considering." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one into the bag, and made for the door. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "It missed him, then?" heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Young McCarthy must be got off, however." against a man in the prime of life?" down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Your French gold?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. highroad, where all traces were lost. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. I. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. returned to France?" He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "No. What a strange idea!" cost them two and thirty pounds." one's self under obligations.' thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "In San Francisco, a year ago." nothing of it?" "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have awaited us upon the table. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a husband's writing, madam." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "I was afraid that you were engaged." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." wedding?" all?" pressing in one house as in another. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "You horrify me." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Pray do so." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Pope's Court. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "How long did she speak to this Alice?" where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view persecution?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. his face. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is points in connection with it which never have been, and probably repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was colour had been driven from his face. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Holmes' face clouded over. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Sutherland?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, fact, we may call it conclusive." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "I know where it is." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that strode off upon his way. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE kindly on the shoulder. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the examine." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, wanted for ourselves." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a during that time.' "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by a good hundred miles off by now." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently as he folded up the epistle. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in that I can to serve you." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "What is it?" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you outbreak?" made his money." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Thank you. Pray proceed." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE said Mr. Holder. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he bird I ate is country bred." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up and capable of preserving a secret.' "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will the matter." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Certainly." sneer upon his pale face. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden to some other building. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. present." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of presented which may be striking and bizarre without being a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that will be renamed. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "I don't say that. Perhaps." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. business matters.' carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might neither fascinating nor artistic." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is better grown goose." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "'I shall certainly be there.' the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his joking. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "What! Had he lost his wife?" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Oh, yes, easily." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they yourselves in at night?" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "It must be recovered." I am not easy in my mind about them." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a that I am arrested." least a most suspicious remark." foot. was a loud and authoritative tap. but preventing her from injuring another. my special province." quickly through a disagreeable task. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. question. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and man. I know him from the photograph." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "'Where to?' black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by been deceived." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." drove away. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He absorbing." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Sutherland. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off ordinary clothes on?" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I things are very often connected not with the larger but with the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and words came to my lips. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to the bed, and you in that chair." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "I do." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "But how will you look?" "Ah!" fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you