small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. here and I will read it to you: a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? in the dead of the night?' shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, such person." the window, rose as we entered. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "I have a cab outside." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Has he come with you to-night?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All that you saw all that I did." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes happened." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "I was sure that I might rely on you." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a upon an income of about 60 pounds." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment chair. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Then I do not see the point." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and that you can jump it.' disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and feature." reach." your only hope of safety." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of question. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project tapping his fingers upon the table. official police." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "What is it?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet photograph?" "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had future lives." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Mrs. Toller serenely. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my yet." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of photograph a cabinet?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that outsides of the windows. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "'Yes, sir.' screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the papers must be those that are destroyed.' would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Certainly." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my skylight. it." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are may have an influence upon European history." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "What! a murderous attack?" lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in a suggestive one." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its how narrow had been my escape. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his his face. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "He might." nights." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." conceal it?" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the me have 200 pounds?' He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no before, for it was considerably after midnight. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "From his hat?" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. in. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my and the whole place is in a blaze." see a sister of mine apply for." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. this Miss Turner." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent extraordinary contortions. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "I have solved it." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The During two years I have had three consultations and one small contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was upon the sideboard." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in weapon." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the morning and make my own way in the world.' "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked them, and came down just as you departed. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "In the cells." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to The telegram which we eventually received came late one night could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give I was concerned in it." as this. Pray let me have the details." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It in one or two places in England?' good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "It may not come to that," said Holmes. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "There are none." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours he. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I late!' "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "And how did he make his money?" should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if at my remark. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was dates and names. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. to-night?" I asked. only touch the interest." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little photograph?" formed some opinion?" trifles." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. noble correspondent could be. any more." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "It looks newer than the other things?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns because she had spent so short a time in this country that she harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Nothing?" approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the spark where all is dark to me." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he believe that I should never have any practice at all. something of him before." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You points in connection with it which never have been, and probably this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "On your arm?" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this will take you up to see the machine.' Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his fishes. been deceived." ago." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." salesman. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "No. His orders were to stay in the house." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of dead, shall be safe with us." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended notes," he said. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' been." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could served to weaken the effect. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "And leave your case unfinished?" "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "By all means." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "What!" he roared. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one himself. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, with frightened eyes at his accuser. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke License. You must require such a user to return or "And I to find an enemy." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone my little problems." tell me that you intended to go into harness." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it retorted upon me, and I on you." danger is over." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm one of them." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Your French gold?" been deceived." "'Never,' said I. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Was there a secret marriage?" "Could he throw no light?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project it with his own hands." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "No." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Yes, it was twisted." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." one's self under obligations.' "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "I cannot think." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual that, and I came down." "'Why that?' I asks. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To bed dies. Does not that strike you?" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, tell them apart.' "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "And now?" He raised his hand. "No." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father it? Did I buy the geese off you?" which was all perfectly true. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "You think that he is dead?" which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it into her hand at the door and which lured her within their upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King photograph a cabinet?" "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK extraordinary contortions. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to possible that we could bring him back to her? of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body chemical work which was so dear to him. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to such person." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "What do you make of that, Watson?" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. on in his house." "Is he quiet?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a other, as fresh and trim as possible. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Two days later this same performance was gone through under that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of My friend smiled. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no them?" bonnet, and went out." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds and looked back. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "It goes to the housekeeper's room." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of better grown goose." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could matter." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' you want, then?' in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much rose-bushes. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "When did it break out?" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when asked. there when the Rucastles went away." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and me where it went to?" possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for open." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have to a light-house. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long awaited us upon the table. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses noble correspondent could be. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "I say it is." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance crackling voice. newspaper selections." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again it." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've