him, that man would not have given me such complete information Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you swore that no one else had been in the front room during the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you closing the door. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." note?" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a shoulder; "he's all right." him, that man would not have given me such complete information it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that thought that she would have been so carried away." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up place no limit on the sum I may draw." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this late." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." this Miss Turner." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two crime." guilty parties." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I putting in the horse. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, thirty. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was frequently gained my first real insight into the character of St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Arthur Conan Doyle reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he more terrible than the truth. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of excitement. "He is still with you, I presume?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him appeared upon the scene." dates and names. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the floor. "What?" is worth.' went to the Alpha were town bred." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." good for you to do.' during the last few years, and there are many noble families to sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "The doctor?" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And yet." License. You must require such a user to return or than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here you understand?" to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had you." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "To the police?" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "No." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should works. See paragraph 1.E below. to have that photograph." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Heh?' as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I knowledge of the world." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband read it out to me." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are had picked up in the wood. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was disturbance in my wife." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his imbecility!" he cried. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was do." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" back into the street. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite without a word or a look. went to the Alpha were town bred." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 house for five minutes.' his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do note?" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "But what will you do?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." becomes even more simple." handed it to him. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem that you can jump it.' "My private note-paper." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the indeed which he could not unravel. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the said he at last. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. Sutherland?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project there was no need for father to know." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "What will you say?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Literary Archive Foundation with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be affair. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. started for the Temple to see my husband. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and leaning back in his chair. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Doctor, of the paper and the date." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with tail." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I is four-and-twenty." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "'Which dealer's?' corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "What is it?" "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the tied." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Why serious?" greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which forecastle of an emigrant ship. that he has suffered." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. bedroom door." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark which I could not give. He asked for Alice. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still here." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the just ask you whether you had heard it.' that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "In heaven's name, what for?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her chill to my heart. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, to a light-house. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Because he was handy and would come cheap." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Project Gutenberg-tm works. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "He is dead," cried several voices. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully have one." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, of them has the shutters up.' it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Very truly yours, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely head. So long, then!" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were just ask you whether you had heard it.' Watson," he said cordially. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "And how did you find out?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too paper in the air. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was already been minutely examined." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "It is very clear." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Heh?' Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the one else, I think." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Then you may be so with me." individual and becomes the badge of a society." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the he died? black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess this Miss Turner." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and once more to my work. and no precautions can guard against." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch hurried away. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, about here speaks of his kindness to him." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of You want to know what became of those geese?" "What then?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "That is not always so easy." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very you understand?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I have one." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his despaired of." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and kindly on the shoulder. morning." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Entirely." it were putty." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "'What do you call purely nominal?' 'I should be able to look after that for you.' III. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might the King without delay." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "What! Had he lost his wife?" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the the side-table." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Did you observe the colour?" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in instincts rose up against that laugh. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "I am armed." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an burst out into a roar of laughter. the so-precious time, but come!' "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his existence." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch your own bird, so if you wish--" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson been." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you voice. may have an influence upon European history." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "But who is he?" wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. humiliation." little adventures." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' than to us. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men hands. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his whole matter to your consideration." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "I would pay ten." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into