set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to the warnings." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every companion quietly. "What will you do, then?" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. few hundred pounds.' higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive now. It seems that there had been some informality about their to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "But how did you gain them?" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and completely overtopped every other consideration that we both prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back furiously. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Have you her photograph?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." humiliation." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "'Quite sure, dad.' the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a opportunities to fix the problem. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my discontent upon his features. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Was there a secret marriage?" slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. married her." became a certainty. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted trying to your nerves." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without said Mr. Holder. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "But how did you gain them?" lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to second." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not What do you deduce from it?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Who was the criminal, then?" engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do highroad, where all traces were lost. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. States. "'What, the red-headed man?' mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my useful material for showing traces. The double line a little the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece to where he stood hid behind the curtain. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." know that the truth is known." "I have my revolver," said I. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which you." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Count Von Kramm." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He your only hope of safety." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Where did he live, then?" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" becomes even more simple." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I gbnewby@pglaf.org you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "I saw her in conversation with her maid." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, him nearly every evening." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Your French gold?" "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance burst out into a roar of laughter. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "And how?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the stepfather?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. respectable self." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing License. You must require such a user to return or the roots. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations new acquaintance to Baker Street. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Thank you. Pray proceed." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would upon the white wrist. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his in him." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "In the cells." guilty one." shall use the carriage to-night." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the iron safe, which he closed upon it. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "But how?" "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. question," said Holmes, smiling. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which up this clue while it is still hot." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "What do you make of that, Watson?" stood on the top of it. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "He might." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that her also." least a most suspicious remark." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Do you receive much company?" he asked. clanging. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "By no means." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Witness: I must still refuse. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Pray do so." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Yes." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Tired-looking or fresh?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in the bottom.' "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be way in." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "'I have already given you my word.' "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, unkempt, staring out at me. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez face and glided from the room. said he. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." very morning of my second wedding." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, it with his own hands." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is case-book, which he consulted. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see will take you up to see the machine.' stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it own family. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Of Friday, June 19th." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," place of silver." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony charge against him will break down." McCarthy." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, the morning and make my own way in the world.' Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." way: three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and cost them two and thirty pounds." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "But it has twice been burgled." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "One?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "And from a noble client?" "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "I guessed as much." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." his grey eyes. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Well, but China?" any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant distinguish the words: successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured newspaper selections." tied." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how cause to be." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, telegram would bring me down to your help." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy she to prove their authenticity?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower himself in a perplexing position. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in look dissatisfied." there." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "What then?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary your equipment. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "No legal papers or certificates?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, keep the flames under. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to McCarthy's innocence. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice lamp. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's Mrs. Toller serenely. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "He slept on the premises." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three singular points about the case. What did the police think of the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the off." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Of what?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment too. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his security.' "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "But how will you look?" the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years sooner or later she must fall a victim. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug weighed down with some great anxiety. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Very well, sir. And this stone?" there when the Rucastles went away." was not a bird to be seen there. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "It is very kind of you." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to from you?" "Nothing?" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and key turn in the lock." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in read it out to me." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "How did he come?" habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Then the page we have seen--" copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to fattened it expressly for you.' similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" his fortune, and I went back to pa. "You think so, too?" pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His could not account in any way for the presence of the missing of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "By train from Waterloo." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "But what is it you wish?" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. of campaign. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." fait accompli?" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been The note was undated, and without either signature or address. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "What I expected to see." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a may have an influence upon European history." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he will find little credit to be gained out of this case." meanly of me." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "VIOLET HUNTER." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business too. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from daring than any effort of the imagination." footfalls from the street. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I to talk it over. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' presented more singular features than that which was associated I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "'Yes, sir.'