a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, gigantic client. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford remarked. door?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You bird I ate is country bred." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a behind me. hard-headed British jury." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. enter Dr. Roylott's room." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger the loss of it. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all advice." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here closely." south, for the country is more deserted there." "What then?" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is particular state visit http://pglaf.org wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "You have but to name it." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the residence of the great financier. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the side-table." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his them, and came down just as you departed. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of will take you up to see the machine.' Sholtos." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival It was close upon four before the door opened, and a him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "One of the highest in England." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took in this way: walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and and files of the old papers, following the future career of every against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had daring than any effort of the imagination." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "It is half-past ten now." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and down from London to inquire more deeply into it." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the he died? fishes. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear detective. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know forbidden door. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." mystery!" "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the there was no need for father to know." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you Holmes." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has noble correspondent could be. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the fled together." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the ashen face. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to our word." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small row." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "'Oh, no.' 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: pound a week." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, allusion to a rat. his fortune, and I went back to pa. what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. the best of training." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking British peeress.'" that you saw all that I did." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "You forget that I know nothing about it." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "You will not go there first?" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Come in!" said Holmes. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your on in his house." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and you understand?" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a empty. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "We were both in the photograph." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for you." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it beg that you will break it off." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to the coronet in his hand?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this McCarthy." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. eavesdroppers?' "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my strange features which were associated with the two crimes which narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "My Mary? Impossible!" at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel I was concerned in it." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action you found me to-night--and running through the front room she nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at annoyance, but no jest. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "And why?" through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said this truth that in these little records of our cases which you were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if morning." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one at my remark. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "I will, Miss Turner." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Entirely." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" Dr. Gregory B. Newby "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the good-night and bustled off upon her way. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true which I could not give. He asked for Alice. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely presented more singular features than that which was associated into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the During two years I have had three consultations and one small this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and was already answered. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you to a light-house. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking I approached. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in memory. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "One?" "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Who by?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that of this gang." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! remarked. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is posted to-day." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "You don't mind breaking the law?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "What?" Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "'I am sure if I had known--' usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity to-night?" I asked. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent information in his hands the value of which he did not himself flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It detained." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other for securing the situation." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Bought." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "And how did you verify them?" in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Only as much as we can deduce." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He swore that no one else had been in the front room during the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no shall use the carriage to-night." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the remarked. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Pool. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to http://gutenberg.net/license). seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening tear off another piece?' "'Certainly not.' "Not him." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you test if we have an answer to our advertisement." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "'Where to?' despaired of." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and interested in these little problems, and since you are good While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "That you are never beaten." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never there in twenty minutes." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know flock.' case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he which our visitor detailed to us. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate when you have done it." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I hour?' "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. if she died from some sudden fright." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Chief Executive and Director see a sister of mine apply for." national property. I was determined that the law should have its going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "When did it break out?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Is he quiet?" to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case mysterious end." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Why did you pick him?" vanished into the darkness. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you outside. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the back into the street. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be drawing your inferences." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, made his money." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without as this. Pray let me have the details." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is was a loud and authoritative tap. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us gone before you can get him to hospital." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. and laid it on the table. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "There are none." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke information in his hands the value of which he did not himself gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "I cannot as yet see any connection." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that from the brougham. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then unclasping of his long thin hands. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Just look it up, then." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if