"It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I taking in every detail of the apartment. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a of Fenchurch Street." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Nothing?" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "I cannot imagine." "My photograph." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." the running down." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that invisible to me," I remarked. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about of a light. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old husband's writing, madam." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those lips." taking in every detail of the apartment. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers the south-west, I see." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point IS "And leave your case unfinished?" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as whatever might befall. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that father's young wife. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go there when the Rucastles went away." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "How are you getting on?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "No." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "The Coroner: What do you mean? Literary Archive Foundation serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and London for the present?" pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause swore that no one else had been in the front room during the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question be best to do. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, 'please.'" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil test if we have an answer to our advertisement." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without minor matters until to-morrow." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." dead, shall be safe with us." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "He might." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless business." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "It is possible." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further once more. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "But how could you guess what the motive was?" facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. the King without delay." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was threw himself down with his face to the pillow. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. seen the man in the road." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the society." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your October 9, 1890. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Was the window open?" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is do you make of it all?" to-morrow." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me daring than any effort of the imagination." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are locked. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "My stepfather's business papers." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. present." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "In heaven's name, what for?" wanted for ourselves." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "I was sure that I might rely on you." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to presented which may be striking and bizarre without being I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your useful material for showing traces. The double line a little course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Lestrade of Scotland Yard." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly case-book, which he consulted. "You don't mind breaking the law?" "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. go from here to the Strand." client, rising. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" was the fact that his father should, according to his account, the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I security.' I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a considering the formidable letters which were received by himself ways of our fellow-men." of Mr. Rucastle's." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You copied or distributed: "Yes." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything charge against him will break down." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now in. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "But she will refuse." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are formed some opinion?" "It surprised me." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "But I am all in the dark." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Then you may be so with me." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. man. I know him from the photograph." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his events, Mr. Windibank!" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. guilty parties." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. formed some opinion?" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to ventilator." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, case-book, which he consulted. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "And why?" delirious. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the should be taken.' dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "What can you not understand?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more geese which you supplied to the Alpha." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Entirely." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in skylight. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "What have you to say now?" his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "I have hopes." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Miss Holder?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is meanly of me." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, the tragedy. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "The Cedars?" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes hand, madam?" Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the gone before you can get him to hospital." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Perhaps we may make them less so." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you what do you think they found in the pockets?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the the loss of it. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the to arrive at through this?" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "If I can be of use." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," is worth.' Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly business came to an end." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "And who is her maid?" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings business in the City. She little knew what. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. think that any burglar could have done. what these perils are?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Look there!" said he. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have be. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "On your arm?" "Yes. He waved his hands." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere himself to hunt down. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Chief Executive and Director "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly in this note: "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. business?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Nothing." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his intrusion of other matters." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his mysterious business." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of companion imperturbably. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to emerged. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down something of him before." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an the matter." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little Doctor, of the paper and the date." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond village inn over there?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Dirty?" in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish up this clue while it is still hot." it with his own hands." opened the door, and slipped through. becomes even more simple." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed voice. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our straightened it out again. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." lectures into a series of tales." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Really! You surprise me." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a sooner or later she must fall a victim. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Was your sister dressed?" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he any." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would him!" may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project pound a week." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have know all about it," he snarled. what these perils are?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "But your client--" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "I answered that I had not. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. to some other building. "No." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked