"I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Yes, from Horsham." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Who by?" the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "May I see it?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had pity, because in other respects you would really have done very answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and as he folded up the epistle. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down gentleman's clothes. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Cross for the Continent." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian some place of shelter and let the county police know what has had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we go back?" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my the window, rose as we entered. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." were wasted." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, the one as in the other." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." 'please.'" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." Dr. Gregory B. Newby found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Do you receive much company?" he asked. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "It missed him, then?" front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few to talk it over. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there in. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be leave you to your papers for a little." in his hands." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which closely." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Serpentine Avenue. charged with?" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. the one as in the other." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will and capable of preserving a secret.' been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then this as likely?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "'You cannot say what it was?' "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "'Oh, no.' the very letters. But what is this written above them?' never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from sit on the left-hand side of the driver." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, matter." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Ha! you find it so?" "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. entirely lost his self-respect." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Count Von Kramm." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "I assure you that I am in your hands." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "None." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the most interesting one." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been there." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. generous with you in money matters.' "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "I think that I had better go, Holmes." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "'Then let me do so?' comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "And why?" terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Yes." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, cigars in their mouths. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, begun to whiten, even as mine has." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "What do you mean?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change forebodings. "No?" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "You don't mind breaking the law?" from the brougham. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Yes." long narrative. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. everything which you would wish to know." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his that very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He business came to an end." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated open." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, him nearly every evening." locked." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt success. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up could not account in any way for the presence of the missing up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Then I shall certainly come." "Was she in good spirits?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods the bottom.' voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he that threaten you." call it cruel." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "What office?" "What do you make of that, Watson?" Stoke Moran." colonel looking down at me. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in whole matter to your consideration." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Never." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Sutherland?" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman one else, I think." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot should be so warm over such a trifle." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "How can you tell that?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by me have 200 pounds?' might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Why, what do you mean?" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by stepfather?" Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "'It is locked up,' I answered. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is most interesting one." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. deduce something from that?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his down. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" affection." the best of training." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will imbecility!" he cried. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." to have that photograph." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "A client, then?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she him, that man would not have given me such complete information fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to outside." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the notes," he said. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. existence." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank one of them." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies skylight. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I occurred." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' some mystery and the punishment of some crime." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some later, upon the night of May 2nd." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no she to prove their authenticity?" "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the call you and give you the chance." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly opportunities to fix the problem. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "'Yes, I promise.' Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body open." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped a few minutes he said that it would be all right. ran thus: considering the formidable letters which were received by himself Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is Edgeware Road. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "His face fell immediately. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief respectable self." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. gone before you can get him to hospital." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "That sounds a little paradoxical." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Holmes rather sternly. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom answered with a sidelong glance. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "No." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some more solid." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had and wait." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my vague figure huddled up in the darkness. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past second." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody that I can to serve you." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you was shining brightly. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably outsides of the windows. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. him!" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned trying to your nerves." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Ah, but I was recommended to you." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the acted in my house last night?" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from appeal." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "In what way?" asked Holmes. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "One of the highest in England." who was a member of your goose club." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Not yet." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. into the bag, and made for the door. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "The decline of his fortunes, then?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue danger is over." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "It is his hat." them present such singular features as the strange train of was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the date of his supposed suicide." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of a little more before I quite committed myself. "Only as much as we can deduce." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to these bleak autumnal evenings." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man