to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom whether it answered to the description of any of their "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. delighted to hear it," he said. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. in the dead of the night?' really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons crowd. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two place of silver." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as of a light. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you criminal. We have already had experience of such." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "How did he come?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you business came to an end." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "'Then let me do so?' chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such retorted upon me, and I on you." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "But how could you guess what the motive was?" The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a simple cases which are so extremely difficult." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Did you become engaged then?" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Farm upon the left." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and said Mr. Holder. nothing of it?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with about here speaks of his kindness to him." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly weigh very heavily upon my conscience." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Then I do not see the point." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of guilty one." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "At half-wages, in fact." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment danger is over." persecution?" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Of what day?" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the coronet in his hand?" thought that she would have been so carried away." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you away in different directions, and I went off to make my own The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Perhaps we may make them less so." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of footfalls from the street. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "What have you to say now?" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. official police." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are you in your example." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which comes from the middle window." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "No, my brougham is waiting." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in laugh and put his lips to my ear. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. should be so warm over such a trifle." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "The best possible." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "But I am all in the dark." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent tension within him. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." wanted for ourselves." bare slabs of marble. For additional contact information: material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "No legal papers or certificates?" phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of to Leatherhead. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "What steps will you take?" I asked. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a and that he would see to anything that turned up. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Come in!" said he. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "I will try. What is it?" have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. have not had my rubber." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "But you can know nothing of this?" list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just business at Coburg Square is serious." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went vault. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "What are they?" the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. way: Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Your sister is dead, then?" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "No. What a strange idea!" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. him to be an active member of the medical profession." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "So it appears." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious himself. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little companion. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two The summons was a brief and urgent one. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "I cannot think." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "What is it, then--a fire?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Then I can wait in the next room." "Precisely." "That is unusual in a young girl." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, third from London." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "And is that all?" is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room remarked. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into you in yours." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "She will not sell." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Yes." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Mary, has deserted me." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Quite so." "I think it very unlikely." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. cause to be." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Holmes rather sternly. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "'Is 4 pounds a week.' In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door bird I ate is country bred." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of there in twenty minutes." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Yes." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "You have but to name it." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "No. What a strange idea!" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot washing it down with a long draught of water. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Heh?' "So I have heard." that I may have something better before very many minutes are and I shall be with you presently." enter into my head. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Come in!" said Holmes. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an opportunities to fix the problem. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to His smile broadened. see me here to avoid scandal." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a burst into a hearty fit of laughter. ceremony." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "She walked into the breakfast-room." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, outsides of the windows. "Then you may be so with me." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a memory. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "You think so, too?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "And I say east," said my patient. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "On the contrary, this is the right side." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an you." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just your own bird, so if you wish--" particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, appeal." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." business came to an end." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." nights." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the both be extremely obliged.' anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled attention." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an client, rising. than to us. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a