coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would who was a member of your goose club." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which sofa. This way, please!" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor the one as in the other." weary and pale-looking. more terrible than the truth. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "He said that you could solve anything." infinite languor in his face. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on over part of the map. "What do you read?" indeed which he could not unravel. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a train.' murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no fear." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to which we had just quitted. rose-bushes. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "That is easily got." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Ample." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all attention." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am burst out into a roar of laughter. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late been lifted and conveyed somewhere." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "You horrify me." breakfast." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad on in his house." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Serpentine Avenue. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill own family. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. this poor creature." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head about. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Did you become engaged then?" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very companion. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in be best to do. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through at once, for I have only half an hour." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Bought." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and wedding?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it to that open window." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called formed some opinion?" the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open ourselves in the office." tail." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had least a fellow-countryman. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "What will you do, then?" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, During two years I have had three consultations and one small "What will you say?" "'Oh, no.' man. I know him from the photograph." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled me." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California Chief Executive and Director occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first opened the door, and slipped through. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to Henry Baker is a member." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be lips." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast never came back." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting will take you up to see the machine.' lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring you?' my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Well." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. bachelor.' civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a this man was intellectual?" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Not social, then?" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he public press." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the inquest, and which are worth considering." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of to his chemical studies. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Chief Executive and Director "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble man. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. there!' "I say that I have solved it." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the bedroom door." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and outside. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "My opinion is in no way altered." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at his face. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Who was the criminal, then?" an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There the coronet in his hands?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "I cannot imagine." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City coroner's jury." "I see no marks." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and own family. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a in the hope of finding them." before the coroner and the police-court." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body DAMAGE. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Does that suggest anything?" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic the room while you explain this matter?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He gone. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we secret." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, not fit the lock." the bottom.' lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the sneer upon his pale face. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Well?" the inner apartment." "Perfectly so." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "I don't say that. Perhaps." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "I don't believe it." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others with some details as to your case." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I once more. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Precisely." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the as yours." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Indeed! Whose, then?" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have to where he stood hid behind the curtain. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" him!" entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "But she will refuse." "My dear Holmes!" felt the room to be a little close.' to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may gigantic client. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from you." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "How did you trace it, then?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "But we can't all be." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it drove away. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "And why?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Then I can wait in the next room." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' once more for Briony Lodge. the nursery. mysterious end." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "'Ample.' "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "I say that I have solved it." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you all that?" It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and Eyford at 11:15.' and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "I will get her to show me." chance." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "And now?" He raised his hand. "But we can't all be." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On three of the beryls in it, was missing. not, dad?" she asked. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very to you." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "How about poison?" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "I was afraid that you were engaged." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank to arrive at through this?" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to front of the hall door has given its name to the place. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort companion. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary during which he might have communicated with his friend the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There there." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." the best of training." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Henry Baker is a member." Henry Baker is a member." closing the door. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "The landlord of the Alpha." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock will not take me long to tell. answer." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if written, and locked the door of the office after me. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Tired-looking or fresh?" gbnewby@pglaf.org "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you 'please.'" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Will you bet, then?" have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any