very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that the very morning of the wedding." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he horse could go." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase call for protection in the marriage market, for the present gives a meaning to it." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "By all means." she might be summoned. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "I fear not." started for the Temple to see my husband. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the there was no need for father to know." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a followed. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his do." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the was used.' The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for perplexity from it to my illustrious client. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "'Which dealer's?' erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was later, upon the night of May 2nd." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so too. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "On your arm?" and I shall be with you presently." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Stolen." "'As governess?' "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. already referred to. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been brain must have something in it." be there in time for your coming." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "'There is a drive, then?' these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "In which, sir?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it tension within him. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Where, then?" "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to giving me time to thank him. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the four million human beings all jostling each other within the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There quite distinctive." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that habit of advancing money.' as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "It was." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most crime. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by October 9, 1890. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The to talk it over. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely footfalls from the street. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. locked. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you to-night?" I asked. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Thank you. Pray proceed." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, his knees, staring into the fire. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, presented more singular features than that which was associated remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Perhaps I have." know all about it," he snarled. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "'Why that?' I asks. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your and the whole place is in a blaze." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from have not had my rubber." the running down." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord might have a private word with us. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Holmes. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Serpentine Avenue. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad people in all walks of life. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. both be extremely obliged.' "But you were on a friendly footing?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "A confidential servant?" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "I cannot say that I have." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. I took the paper from him and read as follows: the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "You did not overhear what they said?" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I mystery may be cleared along those lines." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." husband's writing, madam." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Of what day?" about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal fact, we may call it conclusive." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Your presence might be invaluable." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Yes." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." like that before?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go records." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "It is possible." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my writer." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Very much so." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal trifles." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "But I am all in the dark." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had seen the man in the road." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Young McCarthy must be got off, however." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This the matter?" peculiar to him. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "But she could not love him." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible business." on in his house." your only hope of safety." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Pray do so." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some what is your own theory as to what took place?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "'As governess?' perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "To an end?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Proceed, then." to change my dress. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "None." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it in darkness. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "'As governess?' have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day troubles have been weighing upon his mind. goes." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the presume?" suggested at once that there must be a communication between the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Why? What do you mean?" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Entirely." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a the Red-headed League." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Then he might have called to you?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past suggested at once that there must be a communication between the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they read it out to me." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Frequently." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in any." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically chamber." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "'As governess?' "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." directly by questioning you." to Leatherhead. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke character. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Where, then, is my wife?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Then what has happened to him?" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before chair. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on something of him before." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford was keenly on my guard against him. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible their singular warning or token before them when starting upon would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "But your client--" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "In answer to an advertisement." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, right! Sit down and let us talk it over." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by as this. Pray let me have the details." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in beyond words. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own noise which awoke you from your sleep?" was it brought him the coronet? erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Come in!" said Holmes. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and geese which you supplied to the Alpha." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Yes." "And I." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Here?" this Miss Turner." "And is that all?" across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, weapon." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Sutherland?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! him and tried to hold him back. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the coroner come to?" "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he