"It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich ourselves in the office." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after disappearance of these gems?" "'I am sure if I had known--' then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Mrs. Toller serenely. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "It is his hat." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "In answer to an advertisement." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced our word." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "It is true that I have been generally successful." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "But I am all in the dark." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the pierced for earrings?" "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "It missed him, then?" maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. License. You must require such a user to return or troubles have been weighing upon his mind. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Then he might have called to you?" bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very I leave." the address that was given us in the advertisement. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from page at http://pglaf.org certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for lost his Christmas dinner." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia the coronet in his hand?" that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "And I." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "It is true that I have been generally successful." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. yet." breakfast." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said shall use the carriage to-night." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever south, for the country is more deserted there." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. man. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "BALLARAT." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his hair?' were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the photograph?" do." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "You don't mind breaking the law?" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you together. money should be paid at once.' already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider mystery may be cleared along those lines." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and daring than any effort of the imagination." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more forebodings. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of had formerly been in part my own. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "He said that you could solve anything." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "You think that he is dead?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her instituted." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go some place of shelter and let the county police know what has that you can jump it.' a monotonous occupation." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were passage and a tap at the door. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or followed. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden know what is wrong with it.' somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Perhaps I have." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which sufficient punishment." of it with the greatest attention. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. look dissatisfied." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "By no means." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Precisely." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled lids now and glanced across at his visitor. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, fatally injured? twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and question," said Holmes, smiling. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "You horrify me!" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit nice household for a young lady." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain Eyford." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "I have solved it." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not closing the door. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "The decline of his fortunes, then?" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few humiliation." Have you good authority for what you say?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, brought there to personate someone, and the real person is home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private touch that coronet?' your equipment. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "It goes to the housekeeper's room." highly," said Holmes. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner into the room. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every what these perils are?" death." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which From what you have told me I think that it is possible that neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: intrusion of other matters." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "You horrify me." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through me have 200 pounds?' and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "It's nothing of the kind." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a spare." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that crime." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was it right.' could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when the stable lane now." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike felt the room to be a little close.' very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very people don't know." breakfast?" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, unkempt, staring out at me. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." straightened it out again. "And you can do nothing until then?" contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "But how?" something of him before." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should sound at heart." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "But she could not love him." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out which it had come upon my father." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Get out!" said he. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must politicians who had been sent down from the North. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Who by?" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "My dear Holmes!" I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "No. His orders were to stay in the house." remarked. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John look dissatisfied." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached the little opening for the ventilator is." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "I am following you closely," I answered. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant the coronet at all injured?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "He might." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have of a light. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging asked. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "And who is her maid?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, the general public were present, then?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was gigantic client. "That is not always so easy." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need bird I ate is country bred." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to but preventing her from injuring another. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" tightly behind him. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. before, for it was considerably after midnight. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "And what then?" Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Yes, from Horsham." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project one else, I think." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "'Yes, sir.' "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for interested in these little problems, and since you are good conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, undoubtedly my uncle's." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her this truth that in these little records of our cases which you that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, will be renamed. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out nothing of it?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "A confidential servant?" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round voice, changing her seat as requested. "'Where could I find him?' sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. case before our client came into the room." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of became a certainty. the tragedy. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Very truly yours, "Witness: Nothing definite. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of Dr. Gregory B. Newby protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall more solid." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "How did you deduce the select?" go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the DISSOLVED. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Clair, of Lee." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' retorted upon me, and I on you." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other is a common subject for conversation. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "And what did you see?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Perhaps we may make them less so." I was concerned in it." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small