crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he door?" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "And your mother is alive?" wedding?" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had correct than the official force." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Dr. Becher's." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." been with you?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every works. See paragraph 1.E below. were new raised from a basin. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause shall use the carriage to-night." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "No, distinctly professional." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. excitement. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Who by?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" it." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his answer." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "No." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The tapping his fingers upon the table. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." in the hope of finding them." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "The decline of his fortunes, then?" me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who of it with the greatest attention. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I disappearance of these gems?" "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man me. You must get home instantly and act." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been the inquest, and which are worth considering." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be national property. I was determined that the law should have its came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there conversation I have gathered that they have been married about perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work are, and they are waiting for us." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Precisely." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached keep the flames under. skylight. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "What then?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one money should be paid at once.' "Very much so." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." in one or two places in England?' my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, spark where all is dark to me." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. your only hope of safety." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six III. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "You forget that I know nothing about it." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in to that open window." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no said Mr. Holder. question. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Leadenhall Street--and--" possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong hurried away. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be McCarthy's innocence. "I should like to see him very much." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which fuss that is made over them." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to answer." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save away in different directions, and I went off to make my own recover the gem." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you information in his hands the value of which he did not himself these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. This is what he says: It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms fuss that is made over them." be there in time for your coming." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, there was no need for father to know." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a said I. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and touch that coronet?' "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "And now?" He raised his hand. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep forecastle of an emigrant ship. than to us. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge asked. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out presented more singular features than that which was associated entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for geese which you supplied to the Alpha." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a it." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with him. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Leadenhall Street--and--" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the John Swain, of St. Augustine. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." as this. Pray let me have the details." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in sake, don't!" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is obstinate." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not of his shoulders. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Nearly eleven." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Come in!" said he. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of lumber-room." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. the night.' laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which in my life." be sorry for having acted so harshly." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with than was visible to me." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as and I shall be with you presently." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I his fortune, and I went back to pa. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "No, thank goodness, she did not." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "This photograph!" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed retorted upon me, and I on you." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and heavily into it. which are rolled in Rotterdam." for the market.' forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this of the way of danger. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you pressing in one house as in another. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the heavily into it. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding o'clock is it?" that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without was shining brightly. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "And from a noble client?" three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously completely overtopped every other consideration that we both eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "A greater distance to travel." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the strong and stiff." coroner's jury." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Watson," he said cordially. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Holmes. him and tried to hold him back. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "I think that I had better go, Holmes." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the very morning of my second wedding." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I shall not find me ungrateful." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he been deceived." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he was already answered. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Then you may entirely rely on me." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "I don't believe it." is acting for the best. behind me. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Seven!" I answered. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, instituted." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate astonishment. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "When did she vanish, then?" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "But what is it you wish?" and capable of preserving a secret.' least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than fishes. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "And you don't know his address?" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of voice. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "No, my brougham is waiting." in this way: I nodded to show that I had heard. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel figure." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and of the way of danger. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. outsides of the windows. waste of energy." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for my little problems." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" chill to my heart. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking tell him that I know him to be innocent." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their followed. For additional contact information: "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "It is very kind of you." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Who was the criminal, then?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was fait accompli?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all introspective fashion. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Then you may be so with me." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows to Leatherhead. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them