Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of you found me to-night--and running through the front room she matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "It missed him, then?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole brought there to personate someone, and the real person is been." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot ready to-morrow?' foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." leaning back in his chair. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that your billet.' will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "No, but the enclosure is." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black Again Holmes raved in the air. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party name is different." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes of a light. sooner or later she must fall a victim. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to drawing your inferences." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold of them has the shutters up.' "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Yes." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I the driver. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "But you have hopes?" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the have got?" the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, in the dead of the night?' word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." indiscretion." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." begun to whiten, even as mine has." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "I would give my fortune to have them back." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it singular points about the case. What did the police think of the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when 11:15.' arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "My own seal." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of wall." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' go back?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. directors, with the result that you have seen." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a guilty one." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent could gather together that I was able to avert another public and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "She told me to ask you." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered the south-west, I see." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many crackling voice. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. hour?' am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "My dear Holmes!" said I. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Leave Paddington by the 11:15." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's correct than the official force." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the guilty parties." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, future lives." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge them, and came down just as you departed. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "But he might be a bachelor." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble them, and came down just as you departed. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which more solid." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Precisely so. But how--" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That in the hope of finding them." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his security.' last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began in a very precise fashion." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his outside. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "A call for help, you thought?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, breakfast." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Absolutely none." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Which are?" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' light and attacked it." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding way: the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second know what is wrong with it.' the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming unprofitable." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a plantation.' been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two examination of the premises, but without finding anything which concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had sentimental considerations in the background which would induce He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the way: had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him this man was intellectual?" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "You saw the ventilator, too?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "To an end?" "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Very truly yours, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Bought." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "One?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading vault. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me wife's character?" dates and names. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" particular state visit http://pglaf.org innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and six. Come in!" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest said I. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he tell him that I know him to be innocent." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is formed some opinion?" blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "'Where to?' "Not in a good cause." in the dead of the night?' initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who might have a private word with us. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly sparkled upon his finger. "And how?" "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on colour had been driven from his face. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well which are rolled in Rotterdam." think that any burglar could have done. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the is," said he presently: Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear ordinary clothes on?" "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a went to the Alpha were town bred." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Oh, the cause is excellent!" important." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly fasten all the windows?" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, spark where all is dark to me." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in becomes even more simple." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "The landlord of the Alpha." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "'Never,' said I. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' very peculiar words of the dying woman?" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea Holmes." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "'Certainly,' I answered. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Witness: I must still refuse. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little of the way of danger. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "I think it very unlikely." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "How did that help you?" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I astonishment. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a observed. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed carried out of court." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of be. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Ah, but I was recommended to you." eavesdroppers?' "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the hair?' slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the that he has suffered." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Watson," he said cordially. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was voice. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A returned to France?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar business in the City. She little knew what. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." morning." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that been deceived." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "'Stolen!' he cried. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "The gentleman I describe." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek From what you have told me I think that it is possible that here and I will read it to you: day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Then what has happened to him?" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, question," said Holmes, smiling. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my The King stared at him in amazement. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' before, for it was considerably after midnight. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "But he might be a bachelor." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I might help us?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story again before evening." "Just look it up, then." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. question," said Holmes, smiling. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible