"And did you observe any change in her then?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "It is to him that this trophy belongs." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the delighted to hear it," he said. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Can I be of assistance?" "It is true that I have been generally successful." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. whether it answered to the description of any of their But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was was a lad." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. tied." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "'A dozen yards or so.' but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "And is that all?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective redistribution. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief business came to an end." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked like gravel from a pit.' "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow Cross for the Continent." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case call you and give you the chance." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "None." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian down. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "The best possible." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a how narrow had been my escape. "I will do it." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he fattened it expressly for you.' yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. tell them apart.' decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary happened." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was cost them two and thirty pounds." crackling voice. you give your casting vote to?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me awaited us upon the table. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the way in everything. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "How did you deduce the select?" "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, in the port of London." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Holmes' room. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "No, my brougham is waiting." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Precisely so. But how--" deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work asked with his eyes open. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But carried out of court." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything in his hands." "My dear Holmes!" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have your troubles." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Well, it is a possible supposition." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the wedding?" "Yes." papers on the sundial.'" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave was a loud and authoritative tap. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of discontent upon his features. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon troubles have been weighing upon his mind. in the port of London." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a fishes. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" vault. how narrow had been my escape. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" skylight. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. the little opening for the ventilator is." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he enter Dr. Roylott's room." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was you?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has directly by questioning you." Does that suggest anything?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps round and wave him away like that.' "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this window when the police appeared." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be that there was nothing in it, after all." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "But how could you guess what the motive was?" Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and orange pips. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Will you go?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but call you and give you the chance." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once photograph?" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, power." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Well, but China?" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." to Leatherhead. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I question," said Holmes, smiling. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining what these perils are?" "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. bled considerably." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. interested in these little problems, and since you are good than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the outside. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "I shall most certainly do so." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Certainly." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two anything to do with the matter?" directly by questioning you." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a of." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Deserted you?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." leave you to your papers for a little." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" and put his glass in his pocket. "I should be immensely obliged to you." yet." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it respectable self." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Then I can wait in the next room." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell it with his own hands." "Then he might have called to you?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his less than 26s. 4d. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, less than 26s. 4d. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black begin with, and I had not got mine yet." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Dr. Becher's." his cane at the bell-pull. I held the little printed slip to the light. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." you." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "None." not personally threatened." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Yes, there are nearly always some there." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first important." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, see me here to avoid scandal." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land business matters.' way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a awaited us upon the table. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey in my life." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps question," said Holmes, smiling. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I night.' said he. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number open." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She when you have done it." never came back." "And what then?" IS drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when beg that you will break it off." is so. I know all about McCarthy." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than my special province." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, behind me. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the better grown goose." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong him to be an active member of the medical profession." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being suggested at once that there must be a communication between the that he has suffered." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Absolutely none." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "But his left-handedness." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to was a loud and authoritative tap. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." written. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Whose house is it?" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." standing smiling on the door-step. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to floor. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for you came in." Holmes' face clouded over. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all possible that we could bring him back to her? never to learn it at all." "Never." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll man. I know him from the photograph." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. the tragedy. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper with the outside air!" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to you." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Arthur Conan Doyle of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Not in a good cause." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the the coronet in his hands?" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they conduct the inquiry." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "I promise," said Holmes. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "'As governess?' was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "'Ten to two.' into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "And when will you call?" Have you good authority for what you say?" "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "By no means." becomes even more simple." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Tired-looking or fresh?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Precisely." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, salesman. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, call it cruel." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "And I to find an enemy." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Well, it is a possible supposition." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "You'll never persuade me to believe that." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see