"'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of becomes even more simple." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that hurried away. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it undoubtedly my uncle's." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "And from a noble client?" "The rest you will leave in our hands." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal to you." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "And who is her maid?" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "I cannot say that I have." acquaintance?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most His smile broadened. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, lost his Christmas dinner." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving derbies." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had would then never go into court at all." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Where, indeed?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not dramatic, in fact." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. the inner apartment." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange his face which made him a very different person to the round, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Mary, has deserted me." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim opportunities to fix the problem. the bed, and you in that chair." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Have you her photograph?" business." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical was shining brightly. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "That is not always so easy." woman." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "'Ten to two.' "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his business came to an end." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Eyford." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for absorbing." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the gigantic client. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "So I have heard." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I chemical work which was so dear to him. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long as the one I chose?' comes from the middle window." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "And what then?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the good for you to do.' waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried said he. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission enough to aid us in our search." and your relations to her." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his other means.' the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which together. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "You don't mind breaking the law?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very highly," said Holmes. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his you." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." golden eyeglasses. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the suddenly upon us." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the how narrow had been my escape. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if the bottom.' turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the copied or distributed: transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story meant it for the best. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always congratulate you again." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! said I. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his results." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "None." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "'A dozen yards or so.' since then to throw any light upon what became of him." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with to talk it over. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "I was certainly surprised to find you there." one else, I think." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." trifles." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where off." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, locked." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for be best to do. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, Heh?' be best to do. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" page at http://pglaf.org "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the less than 26s. 4d. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Get out!" said he. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "No, I had a dozen." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got The police have openly confessed that they can at present make destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "By no means." "Nothing?" Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Tired-looking or fresh?" your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Just look it up, then." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is became a certainty. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an works. are, I think, all that we need." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped thin, with a long, sharp nose?" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom figure." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the shag which I had seen upon the previous night. front of me. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "I came to find a friend." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged should be so warm over such a trifle." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "That is it on the dressing-table." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go IS deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a exactly what you advise." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and village inn over there?" "In what way?" asked Holmes. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about only touch the interest." here and I will read it to you: "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and you understand?" any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly delirious. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some observed. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. suspect him." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "One of his hands." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Yes, from Horsham." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Only as much as we can deduce." that you wished to speak to me?' Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, gbnewby@pglaf.org British peeress.'" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, was feeling which was the fattest.' the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I bled considerably." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an his face which made him a very different person to the round, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you bled considerably." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "What then?" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I 1.F. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept know what is wrong with it.' yourselves in at night?" long narrative. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I again before evening." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual I nodded to show that I had heard. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." strength of mind to control. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest with you?" flock.' "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. works. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Clair, of Lee." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both call the police, let the police find what they can.' "And you thought he was pulled back?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "No, finished." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. hour?' "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "At the wedding breakfast." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter brandy and water within his reach. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he since then to throw any light upon what became of him." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do people in all walks of life. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "And how have you succeeded?" "None." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question coat-tails." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the your co-operation." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out meant." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Then you may be so with me." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man and have this put in the evening papers." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I off." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their arrangements." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "BALLARAT." prisoner's face. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who over part of the map. "What do you read?" It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography if only as a check to my own memory." companion imperturbably. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Yes, it would be as well." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the morning." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "I was afraid that you were engaged." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may