front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in strength." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my village inn over there?" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the to arrive at through this?" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," to a light-house. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" public press." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might affection." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, this Miss Turner." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of But Holmes shook his head gravely. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "On Monday." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are helping a boy to put up the shutters. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my goes." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard it means?" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Why did you beat the pavement?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how hurried by. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over head. So long, then!" man. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, morning." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to to affect your life." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "'Yes, I promise.' strength." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his shoulder; "he's all right." which was all perfectly true. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Perfectly so." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Not social, then?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five not personally threatened." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" against a man in the prime of life?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, charge against him will break down." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to standing smiling on the door-step. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "But we can't all be." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges fasten all the windows?" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was delighted to hear it," he said. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that gigantic client. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Here?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "How can you tell that?" paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Deserted you?" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint together. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and three of the beryls in it, was missing. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See was already answered. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he noise which awoke you from your sleep?" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Were they all fastened this morning?" murdered man." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography the Friday. Was it to be in church?" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of my little problems." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I residence of the great financier. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Dirty?" "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their yards of it?' as yours." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent wife's character?" I have it here in my museum." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Come in!" said he. call it cruel." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less case-book, which he consulted. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and any." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Doctor, of the paper and the date." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of name is different." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "So I heard. You have him here?" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Because he was handy and would come cheap." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Yes." chance at all." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Stolen." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "That is not always so easy." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely more solid." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Very murderous indeed." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "An accident, I presume?" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and newspaper selections." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few gone. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in It was close upon four before the door opened, and a have I gained?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used and wait." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "'Certainly,' I answered. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Which are?" "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. in his power. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was desk. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. leave you to your papers for a little." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This instincts rose up against that laugh. "She told me to ask you." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and is so. I know all about McCarthy." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "It was an hour's good drive." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could province." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to village inn over there?" "I was sure that I might rely on you." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had horse could go." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "He said that you could solve anything." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' is four-and-twenty." relief. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness the coronet in his hand?" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "How are you getting on?" Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue where she found matters as described by the last witness. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and danger is over." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter at my remark. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me if only as a check to my own memory." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been think that any burglar could have done. without a word or a look. "I am to be neutral?" that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a have been better. It is all right." danger is over." definite end. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor girl said." "I am following you closely," I answered. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Always." "'Very good.' minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Witness: It was. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** back to my heart. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "It is solved." gentleman's clothes. "Of Friday, June 19th." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "What will you do, then?" "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "I am about to be married." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. directors, with the result that you have seen." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." be best to do. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we notes," he said. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "I was afraid that you were engaged." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "'Never.' explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "You horrify me!" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled bird I ate is country bred." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Murdered?" IS very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving speckled band?" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive himself. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and of fine shops and stately business premises that they really the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "I have a cab outside." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a again, where I was soon asleep. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send such person." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "And that is--" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed did not hear it also.' preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "It is possible." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate be there in time for your coming." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Was there a secret marriage?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Why? What do you mean?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my light and attacked it." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned and no precautions can guard against." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in and laid it on the table. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "I answered that I had not. "Yes." "No, but the enclosure is." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me whereabouts. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had husband's writing, madam." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." your sleep?' During two years I have had three consultations and one small where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Not in a good cause." "Nothing." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Eyford at 11:15.' chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's