"I am following you closely," I answered. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but perplexity from it to my illustrious client. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any of it with the greatest attention. to a light-house. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down DISSOLVED. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Count Von Kramm." fluttered off among the others. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes just ask you whether you had heard it.' that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an a suggestive one." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If village inn over there?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the chambers. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in written. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek legal crime." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still gives a meaning to it." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my lamp. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you may have an influence upon European history." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and you do it in twenty minutes!' which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "How did you trace it, then?" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "What I expected to see." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." have accepted such a situation. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "That also I could fathom." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his country, and eventually married, without anyone having a some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, our word." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Not in a good cause." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in fire. You quite follow me?" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms again before evening." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "And is that all?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the stood on the top of it. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Yes, sir." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This most important business. It is probable that he will be away all open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "And help." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table that he will be back before evening." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the station." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the correct than the official force." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away comes from the middle window." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings signal between you and your father? waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we could go. companion. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob drawing your inferences." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "When did it break out?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat had formerly been in part my own. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the minor matters until to-morrow." that I am arrested." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' morning." "It was." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "I say that I have solved it." "To the police?" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that beyond words. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Who was the criminal, then?" have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "No, finished." "I cannot think." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing mysterious end." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Entirely." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he which are rolled in Rotterdam." third from London." house for five minutes.' registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can do you make of it all?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four he died? "Her father is very rich?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, main points of my analysis." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over troubles have been weighing upon his mind. standing smiling on the door-step. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the face and glided from the room. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door will take you up to see the machine.' "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "It is true that I have been generally successful." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "What are they?" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the guilty parties." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "'I have already given you my word.' centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Yes, at the mines." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Stolen." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that carpenter." have had none more fantastic than this." with the outside air!" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That country, and eventually married, without anyone having a have I gained?" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took it with his own hands." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to writer." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I and a shock of very red hair. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and crowd. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "'Yes, I promise.' of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to the bottom.' over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "No." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I am still in the dark." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun appointment with me for six o'clock?" been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "But how?" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "The gentleman I describe." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire over here." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "It's nothing of the kind." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which his face which made him a very different person to the round, could not account in any way for the presence of the missing very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the to change my dress. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he with the outside air!" Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, hopeless attempt at recovering them." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he better grown goose." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Not in a good cause." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." article?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "And the cigar-holder?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" such attractions and accomplishments?' difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how quick march!" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to this remarkable episode. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" sofa. This way, please!" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Yes." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "I have my revolver," said I. address. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain towards the blaze. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it rat could hardly pass through." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two crime." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "But how?" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the and the colonel ushered me in. page at http://pglaf.org which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Yes." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall have got?" fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Here?" play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." weapon." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous is a common subject for conversation. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London on in his house." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "In the cells." situation." "He disappeared so suddenly." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That could not account in any way for the presence of the missing possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Heh?' "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his the salesman. neither fascinating nor artistic." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "It surprised me." morning." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "I cannot tell." past. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "'Ample.' large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "How can you tell that?" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to the date of his supposed suicide." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" triumphant cloud from his cigarette. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "'Entirely.' "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police very morning of my second wedding." to-night's adventure." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "'Yes, I promise.' papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "It is a murder, then?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest IS "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same into her hand at the door and which lured her within their while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. said I. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Yes, I have one waiting." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then secret." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were works. See paragraph 1.E below. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "I guessed as much." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "What! Had he lost his wife?" "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the fattened it expressly for you.' had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project papers diligently of late, have you not?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Ten will be early enough." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Then, how do you know?" "And the murderer?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "'Where to?' over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Look there!" said he. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from