very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a wall." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but DAMAGE. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty away into the river." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive tell me that you intended to go into harness." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "But he might be a bachelor." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the will be renamed. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "About a month then." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table what these perils are?" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "We have tried and failed." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as upon the shelf for the interim." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." security.' "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common ceremony." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. train.' "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the What do you deduce from it?" "It looks newer than the other things?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" hands. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the hands. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "I have my revolver," said I. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "I am all attention, madam." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been to where he stood hid behind the curtain. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness to surprise her." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, public press." Gutenberg-tm License. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Witness: Nothing definite. ceremony." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock that you can jump it.' paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Yes, it was twisted." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "That is not always so easy." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "I cannot as yet see any connection." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I sofa. This way, please!" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out mysterious business." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had fluttered off among the others. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, followed. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep nonsense.' "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign passage and a tap at the door. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Yes, sir." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with orange pips. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now have I gained?" "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, me. You must get home instantly and act." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "And how?" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the opportunities to fix the problem. about. touch that coronet?' alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "I will do it." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. laugh and put his lips to my ear. the stones. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Ample." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Yes, that is the Crown." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said presented more singular features than that which was associated "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, sufficient punishment." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." It may be so in this case, also." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." open." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said what these perils are?" done what I asked you, Jones?" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the is so. I know all about McCarthy." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "No." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows once more to my work. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See it means?" I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Nothing?" had this final quarrel? house for five minutes.' one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been my special province." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "In what way?" asked Holmes. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a me. You must get home instantly and act." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and night.' said he. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to was keenly on my guard against him. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Bought." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "I will not look." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, the address that was given us in the advertisement. is so. I know all about McCarthy." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a waste of energy." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Ample." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that chambers. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with Leadenhall Street--and--" feature." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are against a man in the prime of life?" may never be exposed to such a temptation." "My dear Holmes!" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try that the gas is not laid on in his house?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Was your sister dressed?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Then the page we have seen--" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in Clair, of Lee." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Never." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two at my remark. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes anything to do with the matter?" "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a was lame." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a to that open window." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice again." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "It is solved." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "On Monday." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot most interesting one." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated and all of them with the keenest interest. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Yes." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Then I do not see the point." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, were new raised from a basin. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "It is a murder, then?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the I have it here in my museum." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main the warnings." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy sooner or later she must fall a victim. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" whole matter to your consideration." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "You think that he is dead?" would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little there is a decided draught." "My dear Holmes!" head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." delirious. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" him and tried to hold him back. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no already referred to. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had constraint." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little she has been waylaid. There has been no result." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Did you become engaged then?" "What can you not understand?" you for a few hours?" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "I have my revolver," said I. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a States. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the had this final quarrel? office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Yes." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, always that they were such commands as a lady might with the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross papers diligently of late, have you not?" upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' to talk it over. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding nice household for a young lady." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project good for you to do.' "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "And why in hopes?" followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time