"I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's than to us. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the may never be exposed to such a temptation." "I am sure." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him breakfast?" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on entirely lost his self-respect." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Where does the thing come from?' seven miles from Eyford Station.' gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "I am in hopes that she does." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, ago." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. be. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "But how will you look?" "It certainly sounds feasible." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to God! What an exposure! What can I do?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "No." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country woman." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Was the window open?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Then what has happened to him?" a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I possible that we could bring him back to her? trifles." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under bill, which interests me deeply." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice than to us. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason fat-encircled eyes. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet his knees, staring into the fire. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "And help." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness you." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen come either from the window or the door. My attention was plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on indeed which he could not unravel. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport delighted to hear it," he said. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those already referred to. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, pity, because in other respects you would really have done very more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other you, my dear young lady?' so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Ten will be early enough." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove companion quietly. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep be. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "By all means." distinguish the words: with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Here?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to 1.E.9. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his business." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "'I have heard so.' moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "You have it, sir, just as it happened." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of locked. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I so far?" cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "It is very kind of you." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' galvanised. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "I should wish to." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "And from a noble client?" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "He is still with you, I presume?" shall use the carriage to-night." the window, rose as we entered. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' never came back." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from learned something! Where are the gems?" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Yes, but only for you and me." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him time." whatever might befall. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' I leave." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "So I am. Very much so." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" south, for the country is more deserted there." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment golden eyeglasses. go--none." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his the one as in the other." cigars in the box." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the case before our client came into the room." I approached. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "And how did he make his money?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most official police." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, upon a handsome competence. of." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk searched, without anything being found which could incriminate comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that that the gas is not laid on in his house?" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "'Why that?' I asks. "Thank you. And your address?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to standing smiling on the door-step. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "'A dozen yards or so.' "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of to-morrow." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Certainly." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have quite distinctive." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your him and tried to hold him back. awaited us upon the table. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his swore that no one else had been in the front room during the like gravel from a pit.' "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we again, where I was soon asleep. soul! here is her carriage at the door." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Yes." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "But you would not advise me to refuse?" considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two fled together." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed locked. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it of this gang." emerged. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in galvanised. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "'About the same.' once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more details." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Nothing?" felt?" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to trifles." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "The murder was done with it." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "And you thought he was pulled back?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up Holmes' thin, eager face. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed I took the paper from him and read as follows: sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could system of imprisonment?" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and distinguish the words: besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Where is it, then?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no he died? on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "How can you tell that?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Heh?' civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "One?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "They are typewritten," I remarked. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Texas, I think." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the back alive. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "I say it is." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "What of the rat, then?" "Was your sister dressed?" both be extremely obliged.' even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to conduct the inquiry." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the look dissatisfied." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my said he at last. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the read it out to me." "And why?" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an when your master had gone out." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it pressing in one house as in another. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must and the whole place is in a blaze." to take care of herself." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "My dear Holmes!" to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be tell them apart.' his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant locked." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of late." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum without success. At last the little money which I had saved began these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "And I." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely.