having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this singular points about the case. What did the police think of the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Is he quiet?" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Who by?" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even License. You must require such a user to return or in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "I think it very unlikely." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "You have but to name it." obstinate." "In answer to an advertisement." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." room. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Do you go out much in society?" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "I cannot think." "You horrify me." His name is Francis Prosper." "You saw the ventilator, too?" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect himself in a perplexing position. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you the running down." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "'How far from the body?' open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who happened." look upon these things in a different way." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin residence of the great financier. awkward doing business with an alias." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other must be when I saw the door open.' Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is of it with the greatest attention. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are companion imperturbably. "Was the window open?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "And how did you verify them?" reach." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. would then never go into court at all." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Was she in good spirits?" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw asked with his eyes open. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary suddenly upon us." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of have got?" the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Your French gold?" "But your client--" "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his which we had just quitted. nights." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to call the police, let the police find what they can.' you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, even of instruction." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "'I am sure if I had known--' Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the fatally injured? centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to you do it in twenty minutes!' the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the forebodings. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Who by?" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "No bad?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley never came back." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few time." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Nearly eleven." the bed, and you in that chair." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, meanly of me." "They are typewritten," I remarked. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be the coroner come to?" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could business?" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "My own seal." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for and a shock of very red hair. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Then he might have called to you?" rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "No." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "What then?" Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely do.' "It is true that I have been generally successful." know all about it," he snarled. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and narrative." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "You forget that I know nothing about it." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Yes, but only for you and me." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "In what way?" asked Holmes. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to one's self under obligations.' "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "He disappeared so suddenly." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he your co-operation." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down was once confined in the cab my mission was practically that the gas is not laid on in his house?" finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "What office?" main points of my analysis." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own fait accompli?" offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up II. back alive. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "And I say east," said my patient. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "What! You do not mean bodies?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down coroner's jury." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of not fit the lock." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in that threaten you." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Only as much as we can deduce." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say case before our client came into the room." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored held up the lantern and gazed about him. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his in my life." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work the Assizes." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should people in all walks of life. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you to you." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "And you can do nothing until then?" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded examination of the premises, but without finding anything which thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. shaken than I had ever seen him. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" crowd. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Nothing." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" your co-operation." shoulder. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will 1.F. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to that I can to serve you." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed definite end. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "One?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "No." business in the City. She little knew what. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since several quiet little villages up there." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor said Mr. Holder. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was happened." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! examine." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "On the contrary, this is the right side." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this if I call to-morrow?" disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment roused himself from his reverie. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were any." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "And leave your case unfinished?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" fattened it expressly for you.' certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "You horrify me." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds right! Sit down and let us talk it over." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property hair?' upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from searched, without anything being found which could incriminate of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the into the bag, and made for the door. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Yes, sir." your troubles." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "BALLARAT." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "I am in hopes that she does." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "No, I am descending." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the business matters.' travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "And how did you find out?" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. seven miles from Eyford Station.' back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more himself to hunt down. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" with some details as to your case." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Holmes rather sternly. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with upon the sideboard." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought did not hear it also.' bearing upon the case." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "What then?" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle until night should bring an explanation. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "It is very clear." "'It is locked up,' I answered. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on