himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he British peeress.'" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester have had none more fantastic than this." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "No, finished." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I standing smiling on the door-step. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I His smile broadened. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I married her." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness when you have done it." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the key turn in the lock." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in that I may have something better before very many minutes are "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "'Where to?' possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no you for a few hours?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, writers could invent nothing more crude." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me his forehead." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project the matter?" recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this indiscretion." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the matter." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face there!' flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled License. You must require such a user to return or we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, existence." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in society." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" call the police, let the police find what they can.' is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. started for the Temple to see my husband. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Tired-looking or fresh?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been the ceiling. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "It is possible." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on train.' "On your arm?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. daring than any effort of the imagination." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "But how?" rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of really the only notable feature about the thing." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house taking in every detail of the apartment. passage and a tap at the door. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir overpowering excitement and concern. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "'Never.' certainly do as you advise." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right with frightened eyes at his accuser. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my not, dad?" she asked. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but one's self under obligations.' refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his the warnings." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the important." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not might help us?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "'I have heard so.' "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" this Miss Turner." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was washing it down with a long draught of water. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is *** START: FULL LICENSE *** waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Who was the criminal, then?" southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel what do you think they found in the pockets?" as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was signal between you and your father? "He said that you could solve anything." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here upon an income of about 60 pounds." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from of this gang." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat good-night and bustled off upon her way. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do with her." your only hope of safety." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Lee, in the county of Kent." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "I was mad--insane." "That also I could fathom." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should in the hope of finding them." sufficient punishment." heavily into it. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Street. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It you came in." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face where we are going." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Was your sister dressed?" wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the distinguish the words: or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I colour had been driven from his face. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "I will do it." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we sake, don't!" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "The rest you will leave in our hands." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Yes." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "I guessed as much." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. look upon these things in a different way." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in and inquire as to the address." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet knowledge of the world." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend strong and stiff." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Then I shall certainly come." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "'You cannot say what it was?' "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out just ask you whether you had heard it.' mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "ARAT," I read. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to considering the formidable letters which were received by himself snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with himself in a perplexing position. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "But he might be a bachelor." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "To an end?" Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when 1.E.9. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her http://gutenberg.net/license). dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and cigar and let me expound." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "That was it, sir." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered some water from a caraffe. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before charged with?" c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a You want to know what became of those geese?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your away into the river." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the carriage. It was a chestnut." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her in his power. "I have my revolver," said I. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. key turn in the lock." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "So it appears." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. hardly wander." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my the matter." goes." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the that he will be back before evening." introspective fashion. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I fuss that is made over them." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. that I may have something better before very many minutes are a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The way: laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Then, as to money?" "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "What will you say?" "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are late." was already answered. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried was a loud and authoritative tap. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I lamp in his hand. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and unprofitable." "Absolutely none." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a geese which you supplied to the Alpha." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Street. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the him!" the night.' "She will not sell." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that in one or two places in England?' carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "'Which dealer's?' "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. o'clock is it?" constraint." "My photograph." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his in his hands." seen the man in the road." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction footfalls from the street. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "I am still in the dark." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we way in everything. "Really! You surprise me." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, generous with you in money matters.' "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "By all means." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. But Holmes shook his head gravely. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first know that the truth is known." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. there when the Rucastles went away." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes.