began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." upon a handsome competence. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "What are they?" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's been deceived." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "I beg pardon." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Nothing." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "What have you to say now?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "How about poison?" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my interested in these little problems, and since you are good against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Yes, only one." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating This is what he says: you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. less than 26s. 4d. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "I guessed as much." "Seven!" I answered. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "It's nothing of the kind." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "'I have already given you my word.' "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken said he. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of quite distinctive." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "It surprised me." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "A greater distance to travel." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still laugh and put his lips to my ear. Edgeware Road. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society some city in a dream. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." woman." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Thank you. And your address?" "Not social, then?" has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, for the market.' younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for putting in the horse. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Have you it here?" chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at that there was nothing in it, after all." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob of receipt of the work. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "I never have." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "And who is her maid?" mystery!" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before did not hear it also.' and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the highroad, where all traces were lost. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his present." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, during which he might have communicated with his friend the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little carriage. It was a chestnut." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his four million human beings all jostling each other within the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up certainly do as you advise." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late little adventures." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say Chief Executive and Director other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place mysterious end." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the into the bag, and made for the door. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only public press." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "So it appears." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "But what will you do?" extraordinary contortions. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and had a long day." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Tired-looking or fresh?" "May I see it?" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was to that open window." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up said I. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man stood on the top of it. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "And how have you succeeded?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "My dear Holmes!" came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Nor running a chance of arrest?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It look dissatisfied." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody and put his glass in his pocket. I approached. address. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." strong reason behind." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches For additional contact information: depend upon your compliance." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Dr. Gregory B. Newby in this note: "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was instincts rose up against that laugh. asked. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "'Quite sure, dad.' the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "What have you done?" asked Holmes. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Perhaps we may make them less so." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, is four-and-twenty." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On relief. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to brought there to personate someone, and the real person is He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as always that they were such commands as a lady might with said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Well, but China?" any more." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a very peculiar words of the dying woman?" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there in the hope of finding them." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Then what has happened to him?" The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "But how?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." already referred to. "Yes, only one." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "I have hopes." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from see a sister of mine apply for." "And now?" He raised his hand. "Perhaps I have." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by not, dad?" she asked. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the see a sister of mine apply for." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but was shining brightly. congenial hunt. which was all perfectly true. the so-precious time, but come!' street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler and glanced through. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness will take you up to see the machine.' We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I his eyes and forehead. desk. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the morning and make my own way in the world.' gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "My last client of the sort was a king." unprofitable." my special province." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" congenial hunt. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social to-night." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Indeed! Whose, then?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that outsides of the windows. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Where did he live, then?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "The rest you will leave in our hands." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, directly by questioning you." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business before, for it was considerably after midnight. danger is over." "I will get her to show me." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." kind enough to tell me what I should do." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, events, Mr. Windibank!" Leadenhall Street--and--" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "In the cells." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Witness: I must still refuse. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, my little problems." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Yes. He waved his hands." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for was keenly on my guard against him. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "And why?" sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales enough to aid us in our search." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it whereabouts. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Mrs. Toller serenely. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty touch that coronet?' think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "'I have already given you my word.' absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "I am following you closely," I answered. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at particular state visit http://pglaf.org before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, colonel looking down at me. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her your most interesting statement." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a