ways of our fellow-men." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project back to my heart. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon answer." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "She showed me, as I told you she would." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Lestrade of Scotland Yard." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Dr. Becher's." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "How did he come?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My and shall probably return to London by the evening train." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the name is different." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Quite so. She has her freedom." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should said he at last. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "You have carte blanche." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "No bad?" forehead. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I of this gang." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have ways of our fellow-men." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps my special province." I leave." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out hurried by. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. introspective fashion. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which I nodded again. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Eyford." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "'Quite sure, dad.' "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man soul! here is her carriage at the door." in the port of London." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Eyford at 11:15.' upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all to-morrow." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Her father is very rich?" Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, go back?" over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for own family. Sutherland?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "'A dozen yards or so.' work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that tapping his fingers upon the table. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any II. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. affection." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Could he throw no light?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know the running down." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "In answer to an advertisement." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a away to you." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a advice." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "I should like to see him very much." "I never have." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the beg that you will break it off." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I fat-encircled eyes. round with crates and massive boxes. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "His face fell immediately. "I am to be neutral?" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added occurred." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to thin legs towards the fire. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have weary and pale-looking. noting anything else of interest. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary breakfast and whispered something to her husband. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this What do you deduce from it?" "Perhaps I have." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Stoke Moran?" said he. she might be summoned. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "'What are you doing there?' he asked. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "No, my brougham is waiting." "I cannot tell." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all walking." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. felt?" business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, in his hands." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "No good news?" alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Look there!" said he. "Yes." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets national property. I was determined that the law should have its to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." think that he is innocent?" Holmes' thin, eager face. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if with you alone." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his minor matters until to-morrow." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper indiscretion." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes think you a quite exceptional woman." chamber." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Who was the criminal, then?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "And Miss Sutherland?" he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "None. Neville wrote those words." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet fashion which was peculiar to him. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must out of this horrible affair." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other it. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this floor. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "And help." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up approach us with offers to donate. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would secret." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Imitated." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from appeared upon the scene." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Yes." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "No. His orders were to stay in the house." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a Foundation tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and unprecedented a position." "My dear Holmes!" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through even so self-evident a thing as that." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Did you become engaged then?" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Well, but China?" should be so warm over such a trifle." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco gigantic client. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes father's young wife. within hail.' you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "'Yes, I promise.' place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one digesting their breakfasts at home." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "And the murderer?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "By train from Waterloo." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, before the coroner and the police-court." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving front of me. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this papers." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly meant it for the best. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch his knees, staring into the fire. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk is worth.' "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "It is very kind of you." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "I have solved it." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." lumber-room." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting stepfather?" "Where, indeed?" 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue spare." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Oh, yes, easily." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between was used.' as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges sooner or later she must fall a victim. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the some water from a caraffe. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a horse could go." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "'What then?' I asked. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I compunction about shooting them down." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly she used." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" possible that we could bring him back to her? as the one I chose?' was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "I cannot as yet see any connection." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to fact, we may call it conclusive." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "He said too much." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless would then never go into court at all." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been not as remarkable as your advertisement." "And leave your case unfinished?" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the approach us with offers to donate. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not brain must have something in it." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and What do you deduce from it?" prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the come either from the window or the door. My attention was twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her