"'Yes.' repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Well." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Where, then, is my wife?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I him!" with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was to his chemical studies. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." again, where I was soon asleep. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves must compliment you." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Where, then?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of the general public were present, then?" companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Sholtos." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got during which he might have communicated with his friend the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever of your young ladies.' "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "There are none." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all his face which made him a very different person to the round, "That is easily got." What do you deduce from it?" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I becomes even more simple." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a villagers almost as much as their master. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders true." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was the Assizes." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was I approached. "It was." "Who was the criminal, then?" My friend smiled. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that frequently gained my first real insight into the character of black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "And what then?" looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite question. "My dear Holmes!" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" case before our client came into the room." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had long narrative. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Did he not advertise?" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, night.' said he. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't maid will bring up your coffee." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the at home. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening union?" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "'Certainly not. But why?' "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son before, for it was considerably after midnight. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little have not had my rubber." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." fashion which was peculiar to him. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may and wait." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "No. What a strange idea!" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "In the cells." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Yes." row." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who that you wished to speak to me?' difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we bore every mark of being an average commonplace British to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, into the room. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove visitors." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the a good hundred miles off by now." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "The best possible." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "But she could not love him." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in front of me. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "But he might be a bachelor." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after and all of them with the keenest interest. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we notes," he said. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "We have tried and failed." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "In answer to an advertisement." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets wanted for ourselves." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for o'clock is it?" fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Is he quiet?" in. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great be there in time for your coming." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "And for present expenses?" know what is wrong with it.' Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the later, upon the night of May 2nd." "That also I could fathom." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "'Tell me all about it,' said I. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, official police." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "My dear Holmes!" the bottom.' "It looks newer than the other things?" the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found never will be, entirely cleared up. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very not as remarkable as your advertisement." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to written. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. tell them apart.' shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "A confidential servant?" "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was to arrive at through this?" gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" this Miss Turner." matter over." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his pictures, libraries, or plate. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "And I." sneer upon his pale face. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress you for a few hours?" "Here?" of Fenchurch Street." "But how?" fuss that is made over them." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after minor matters until to-morrow." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Literary Archive Foundation "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon are, I think, all that we need." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Yesterday." handed it to him. "To an end?" guilty parties." you want, then?' to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low drawing your inferences." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have on in his house." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Her father is very rich?" "No, I am descending." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few over part of the map. "What do you read?" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring and shall probably return to London by the evening train." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just present." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of this remarkable episode. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "No bad?" tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? arms and began to sob in a high treble key. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those side. remarked. husband's writing, madam." was a perfect sample of the class. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Not I." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should the one as in the other." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Who was the criminal, then?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with village inn over there?" "The Cedars?" the warnings." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to cost them two and thirty pounds." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most pictures, libraries, or plate. "How many? I don't know." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in morning." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I His smile broadened. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "That is possible." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in better grown goose." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: hardly wander." "Absolutely?" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. his face which made him a very different person to the round, disappearance of the bride.'" "No?" began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had deduce something from that?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced infinite languor in his face. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Ten will be early enough." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "What of the rat, then?" which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the you, my dear young lady?' "I do." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry door?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. someone who had been in Australia." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "You have a clue?" danger is over." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." discontent upon his features. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has Cross for the Continent." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his question. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been