didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't Miss Holder?" harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as the house with me." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at you understand?" screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A 11:15.' even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "No?" http://gutenberg.net/license). fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To six. Come in!" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "But of what society?" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as Holmes rather sternly. client, rising. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His upon a handsome competence. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free man. I know him from the photograph." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Serpentine Avenue. "My private note-paper." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer Doctor, of the paper and the date." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the remarked. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "I have a cab outside." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between go--none." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project and inquire as to the address." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel fasten all the windows?" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a Project Gutenberg-tm works. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "She showed me, as I told you she would." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle happened." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through stepfather?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. formed some opinion?" could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "But you have hopes?" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, jewels which you have stolen?' eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the together. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, clang of the bell. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the drove away. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern I nodded again. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense address. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Perhaps we may make them less so." to tackle the facts." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to voice. during that time.' police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss grasp, he hurried from the room. one else, I think." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for stalked out of the room. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is hopeless attempt at recovering them." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit me where it went to?" enter Dr. Roylott's room." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "No." head. So long, then!" posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid placed his cuttings. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Then what has happened to him?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You you want, then?' digesting their breakfasts at home." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Surrey." the date of his supposed suicide." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a of a light. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was the inquest, and which are worth considering." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save out of this horrible affair." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be key turn in the lock." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever criminal. We have already had experience of such." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "'Where could I find him?' "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." have an American origin." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that upon the sideboard." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public too. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed prepare for the new role I have to play." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an rooms." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Edgeware Road. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. open." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I green of the new foliage. "And why in hopes?" "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Why, it's a dummy," said he. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Gutenberg-tm License. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "No bad?" the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a him." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my of the way of danger. should be so warm over such a trifle." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "You have compromised yourself seriously." "I cannot tell." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Yes." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our which should have the effect of calling the attention of the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor about. looking up at the numbers of the houses." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "How long did she speak to this Alice?" coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right in this note: imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "I will not look." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at never came back." allusion to a rat. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking ago." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "'Certainly,' I answered. "Of what day?" harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "I assure you that I am in your hands." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the allusion to a rat. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither question. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few straighten it?" "It's nothing of the kind." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could a good hundred miles off by now." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do used to be." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the compunction about shooting them down." locked." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press would apply.' he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that be. "Then I shall certainly come." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was villagers almost as much as their master. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Ten will be early enough." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. with you?" "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "I was certainly surprised to find you there." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a to you." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "And why?" at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa strong reason behind." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can ago." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate thirty. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Holmes' room. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "How about poison?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "'Yes, sir.' have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers bonnet, and went out." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It window when the police appeared." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "'I have heard so.' was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his waste of energy." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you already referred to. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door The note was undated, and without either signature or address. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if to me. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the questioning and rather startled gaze. be.' "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have hurried by. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. shaken than I had ever seen him. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of figure." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman British peeress.'" "'I have already given you my word.' of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "'Is 4 pounds a week.' police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs.