"It is true that I have been generally successful." certainly do as you advise." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice stood on the top of it. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of this as likely?" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite strong and stiff." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall bird of prey. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter highly," said Holmes. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the corner of the building. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the works. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little prepare for the new role I have to play." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Street. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, new duties?' Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to was a loud and authoritative tap. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the away to you." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt do.' As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Yes, from Horsham." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very had formerly been in part my own. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency but preventing her from injuring another. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "To an English lawyer named Norton." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Nor running a chance of arrest?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that http://www.gutenberg.net "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since matters immensely." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "How about poison?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, and that he would see to anything that turned up. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "I don't believe it." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that public press." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their them present such singular features as the strange train of dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "There is the writing." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew leaning back in his chair. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "That is easily got." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire when your master had gone out." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Married! When?" particular state visit http://pglaf.org from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the man. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and might help us?" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, matters immensely." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low were unconscious?" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil peculiar to him. not, dad?" she asked. you want, then?' All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "But what harm can there be in that?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." throat." and laid it on the table. "What shall I do?" "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "It is very clear." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should Chief Executive and Director opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "You will not go there first?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "And I." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the said he at last. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Nothing." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a McCarthy's innocence. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" third from London." locked." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have once more for Briony Lodge. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Could he throw no light?" prepare for the new role I have to play." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "How often?" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "At what time?" business at Coburg Square is serious." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an him, that man would not have given me such complete information who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet will not take me long to tell. roused himself from his reverie. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue him to be an active member of the medical profession." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the What do you deduce from it?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be tightly behind him. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "One of his hands." "You are hungry," I remarked. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Yes, he did." "But not more so than I to find you." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir http://www.gutenberg.net "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow one which it was hard to resist. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his papers diligently of late, have you not?" would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. the matter." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "'Never.' I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was highly," said Holmes. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going to a more successful conclusion." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." depend upon your compliance." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly rat could hardly pass through." interests were the same as his." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with bears upon the case?" too. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, events than those which have happened in my own family." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his have been better. It is all right." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived matter." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the this as likely?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "When did it break out?" explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as there!' bled considerably." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought kindly on the shoulder. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows brandy and water within his reach. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and hour." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Dirty?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching about. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Nor running a chance of arrest?" cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of charged with?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we him to be an active member of the medical profession." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down extraordinary contortions. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: wedding?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "'And the work?' with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had comes from the middle window." there in twenty minutes." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your Holmes' room. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had and the whole place is in a blaze." "And it is--" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable back to my heart. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "I have solved it." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." thought that she would have been so carried away." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "What is it, then--a fire?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Absolutely?" there." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention our word." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own brought there to personate someone, and the real person is away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." ceremony." "'I have already given you my word.' marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Perfectly so." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards south, for the country is more deserted there." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a distinguish the words: "I have seen the police." soul! here is her carriage at the door." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among undoubtedly my uncle's." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such down. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Imitated." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To know what is wrong with it.' "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with whole matter to your consideration." "What! You do not mean bodies?" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the hour?' but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Then I do not see the point." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so sake, don't!" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. your billet.' in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door noble correspondent could be. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My people in all walks of life. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of right! Sit down and let us talk it over." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is Arthur Conan Doyle back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "And I say east," said my patient. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running could go. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is from the brougham. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "By train from Waterloo." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet national property. I was determined that the law should have its to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his