gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to John Swain, of St. Augustine. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough over with notes and figures. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems present." "Never." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I I was concerned in it." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Very well, sir. And this stone?" the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a was lame." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes true." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with and no precautions can guard against." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "We must have a cab." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "It may not come to that," said Holmes. sneer upon his pale face. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause back into the street. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "A call for help, you thought?" "And from a noble client?" is a common subject for conversation. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. child?' Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that writing, and yet I know it well." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." views." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. to-night?' brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the the room while you explain this matter?" them, and came down just as you departed. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have never came back." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a me have 200 pounds?' the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely more solid." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Pray continue your narrative." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that villagers almost as much as their master. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Yesterday." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper handed it to him. said he. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed exactly what you advise." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his Doctor, of the paper and the date." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** train from Paddington which would bring you there at about brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and shadow pass over his face as I spoke. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I the window, rose as we entered. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "You forget that I know nothing about it." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, mystery." "Deserted you?" certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "How did you deduce the select?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet over with notes and figures. acquaintance?" naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," the coroner come to?" "Who was the criminal, then?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny me have 200 pounds?' "Very murderous indeed." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." me. You must get home instantly and act." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. was shining brightly. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought bachelor.' there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "By all means." "She will not sell." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you annoyance, but no jest. you in yours." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of than to us. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Do you know him?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "I guessed as much." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like him, that man would not have given me such complete information that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "In what way?" asked Holmes. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from your sleep?' "I assure you that I am in your hands." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and everything which you would wish to know." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are observed. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is about here speaks of his kindness to him." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know prisoner's face. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Never." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so of the one which your family is now devouring." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. he bowed and left the room without another word. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House bearing upon the case." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect with her." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "How can you tell that?" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. do." this remarkable episode. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in that you wished to speak to me?' "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of there when the Rucastles went away." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Texas, I think." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be disturbance in my wife." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and sneer upon his pale face. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught nice household for a young lady." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office upon the white wrist. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I coroner's jury." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "'Yes, sir.' examine." "I say that I have solved it." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "This photograph!" across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your congenial hunt. "You have compromised yourself seriously." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. served to weaken the effect. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." drove away. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall thin legs towards the fire. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again that I am arrested." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." you." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously exactly what you advise." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Yes, all." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked I have it here in my museum." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really breakfast?" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed fat-encircled eyes. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." a room. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so that you wished to speak to me?' "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Why? What do you mean?" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Yes?" air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary examination of the premises, but without finding anything which general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Oh, yes, easily." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. voice, changing her seat as requested. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when to his chemical studies. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned meanly of me." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Yes, from Horsham." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away for its centre. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for matter." "Then what has happened to him?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard detained." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another wife's character?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug some city in a dream. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, You want to know what became of those geese?" States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly chance." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any your most interesting statement." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish I approached. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his here." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the served to weaken the effect. "Yes, that is the Crown." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and said he at last. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of knowledge of the world." salesman. but preventing her from injuring another. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." becomes even more simple." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "'And what salary do you ask?' going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." prison!" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "I guessed as much." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, of receipt of the work. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington instincts rose up against that laugh. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. is so. I know all about McCarthy." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate drove away. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "BALLARAT." "Not him." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the was keenly on my guard against him. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "'Then let me do so?' out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the