stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds hurried away. "Certainly." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "My dear Holmes!" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to tear off another piece?' left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water carried out of court." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress minor matters until to-morrow." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "9th. McCauley cleared. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in orange pips. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "'Yes, sir.' fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "But you were on a friendly footing?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I little trying to do so much typewriting?" There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here hurried by. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the open." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Come in!" said he. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, of the way of danger. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "What!" he roared. floor. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates guilty one." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Will you go?" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Where is it, then?" "In answer to an advertisement." extraordinary contortions. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "I have hopes." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "You will not go there first?" "I never have." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this even so self-evident a thing as that." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his father's place of business?" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Did you observe the colour?" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it completely overtopped every other consideration that we both overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran article?" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Then you may be so with me." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical house for five minutes.' unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Certainly, madam." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned good for you to do.' "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; breakfast?" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil shaken than I had ever seen him. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, of note-paper. It read in this fashion: season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you had picked up in the wood. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had one which it was hard to resist. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see room?" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box hand, madam?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday to change my dress. nonsense.' jewels which you have stolen?' have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. face and glided from the room. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that call you and give you the chance." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "I am in hopes that she does." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, my friend's incisive reasoning. "We have tried and failed." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur is worth.' With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, to-morrow." "And your father? Did you tell him?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I highly," said Holmes. "'Where to?' aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Is he quiet?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." them present such singular features as the strange train of younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "I think it very unlikely." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were was not a bird to be seen there. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped maiden herself was most instructive." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and useful material for showing traces. The double line a little most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Never." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "How did he come?" the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and companion. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "That is unusual in a young girl." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Precisely." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from nice household for a young lady." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, you for a few hours?" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "No." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" that he has suffered." "Not I." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector eat it." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of be. desk. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." returned to France?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, results." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, persecution?" "Yes." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "My photograph." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in them?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Look there!" said he. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark vault. interest. They are important, you understand, without being King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Absolutely none." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never look upon these things in a different way." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be 'please.'" the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Very. But will he see it?" scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out I. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to obstinate." of this gang." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one corner of the building. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "It is a murder, then?" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "And how have you succeeded?" the coronet in his hand?" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in stepfather?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "I should like to see him very much." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a away in different directions, and I went off to make my own furiously. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His shall use the carriage to-night." "I answered that I had not. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "'Where could I find him?' It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low memory. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "On Monday." works. See paragraph 1.E below. pound a week." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question what these perils are?" true." without a word or a look. you came in." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Where, indeed?" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "And what did you learn from him?" delirious. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my observed. not personally threatened." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in next day. chance at all." weary and pale-looking. there is a decided draught." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Why serious?" form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm excitement. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would geese which you supplied to the Alpha." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, place no limit on the sum I may draw." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began relief. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a the night.' though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "10th. John Swain cleared. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn instincts rose up against that laugh. and your relations to her." standing smiling on the door-step. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." question," said Holmes, smiling. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the shoulder; "he's all right." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day have established a very serious case against the son of the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or points in connection with it which never have been, and probably and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was whereabouts. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Where does the thing come from?' unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was have an American origin." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "So I heard. You have him here?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The my former friend and companion. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker floor.