in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their one which it was hard to resist. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with several quiet little villages up there." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the the bottom.' the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "'Stolen!' he cried. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax than to us. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them quickly through a disagreeable task. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. http://www.gutenberg.net I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and way: "'Yes, sir.' bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he their singular warning or token before them when starting upon flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad started for the Temple to see my husband. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. you?' to go into your room and bar your shutters?" Heh?' boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would before, for it was considerably after midnight. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "And sit in the dark?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Perhaps we may make them less so." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "But how?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already touch that coronet?' 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know triumphant cloud from his cigarette. client, rising. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know and that he would see to anything that turned up. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice for the market.' pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the night.' "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "How on earth--" "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they is a common subject for conversation. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I very morning of my second wedding." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to could not account in any way for the presence of the missing it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through thirty. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Farm upon the left." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we standing smiling on the door-step. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and my room." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, persecution?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my overpowering excitement and concern. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of quite distinctive." arrested. You then--" fluttered off among the others. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "That also I could fathom." politicians who had been sent down from the North. face and glided from the room. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. where she found matters as described by the last witness. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did several quiet little villages up there." than to us. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case we went to search for him, face downward in a little which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very of campaign. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of union?" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Street. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about appointment with me for six o'clock?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "The knees of his trousers." very old mansion. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my room?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. have been better. It is all right." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "It certainly sounds feasible." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "That also I could fathom." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, important." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, bird I ate is country bred." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Yes, from Horsham." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "I have seen the police." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Not him." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "To an English lawyer named Norton." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "'Tell me all about it,' said I. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' quite distinctive." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am distance from the station, and there we found the young lady room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "An enemy?" affection." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; extraordinary contortions. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these gentleman's clothes. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Yes." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "You heard nothing yourself last night?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." affair. not fit the lock." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Yesterday." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is name is different." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in pressing in one house as in another. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Yes." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault the inquest, and which are worth considering." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on do.' Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his go back?" six. Come in!" "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty quickly through a disagreeable task. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the was keenly on my guard against him. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Did you observe the colour?" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the leave you to your papers for a little." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." to that open window." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "That's no good." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between fait accompli?" "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to I leave." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. pierced for earrings?" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "VIOLET HUNTER." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need to his chemical studies. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical carried out of court." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the unprecedented a position." exactly what you advise." "I never have." that you can jump it.' unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring it were putty." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the had this final quarrel? and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me bonnet, and went out." writing, and yet I know it well." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had chemical work which was so dear to him. "What I expected to see." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." an introduction to him?" and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the have an American origin." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, ways of our fellow-men." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing system of imprisonment?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may generous with you in money matters.' admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Sutherland?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would Holmes' face clouded over. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for sparkled upon his finger. DISSOLVED. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he conceal it?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is his face which made him a very different person to the round, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "The best possible." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for and the colonel ushered me in. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his breakfast?" same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which in his hands." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "'As governess?' fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. business came to an end." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his to affect your life." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate fashion which was peculiar to him. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off I nodded again. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "'Ample.' "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "I cannot imagine." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That arrested. You then--" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "And what then?" he bowed and left the room without another word. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Literary Archive Foundation incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Then I can wait in the next room." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "What then?" Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side that, and I came down." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "I am still in the dark." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of gentleman's clothes. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your just ask you whether you had heard it.' never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here best detective that ever lived.