or in danger--" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." it with his own hands." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough light and attacked it." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "But you can know nothing of this?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my DAMAGE. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an leave you to your papers for a little." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." copied or distributed: over part of the map. "What do you read?" down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of the so-precious time, but come!' quick march!" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "'And what salary do you ask?' about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, gone. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. washing it down with a long draught of water. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of with you alone." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very into the room. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on during the last few years, and there are many noble families to with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle individual and becomes the badge of a society." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen that he has suffered." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body death." tail." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "But he might be a bachelor." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And The note was undated, and without either signature or address. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "And I to find an enemy." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "How do you know, then?" together. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a and shall probably return to London by the evening train." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at you understand?" some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. so.' "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss humiliation." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my me where it went to?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to companion. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be know that the truth is known." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have evidence," I remarked. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Yes." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, money should be paid at once.' other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "No?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not points to suicide?" be.' come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Well?" near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "He might." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence already been minutely examined." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few of your young ladies.' stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep back to my heart. roused himself from his reverie. beyond words. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Not him." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "The landlord of the Alpha." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of geese which you supplied to the Alpha." recover the gem." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "She will not sell." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' point in the dark hollow of his hand. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed anything to do with the matter?" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the and looked back. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my little trying to do so much typewriting?" away to you." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the when you have done it." charged with?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to remarked. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "But how?" family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "A confidential servant?" Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "It is very clear." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same breakfast and whispered something to her husband. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Yes, it would be as well." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away more solid." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a conclusions. me. You must get home instantly and act." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my straightened it out again. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "'Yes.' and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Of Friday, June 19th." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place this poor creature." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face compunction about shooting them down." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after My friend smiled. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "My dear Holmes!" forecastle of an emigrant ship. would apply.' when you have done it." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew to some other building. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. cup of tea. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "What shall I do?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "The doctor?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the wanted for ourselves." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of started for the Temple to see my husband. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the I nodded again. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and DAMAGE. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Chief Executive and Director "'How far from the body?' grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and simple cases which are so extremely difficult." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good detained." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Well." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age figure." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Not social, then?" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The tied." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "And why?" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "So I have heard." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is which we had just quitted. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." to that open window." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just official police." me where it went to?" "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, least a most suspicious remark." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "What of the rat, then?" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. gbnewby@pglaf.org this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "What, then?" "'Entirely.' is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, hands. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Look there!" said he. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Well?" "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She through." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "What is it?" who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had joking. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met burst out into a roar of laughter. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all hair?' fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "To an English lawyer named Norton." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. my secret was safe in his possession. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his like that before?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "My dear Holmes!" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short