suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent to-night?" I asked. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "'Most admirably.' travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "No sign of it?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, waste of energy." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less the inner apartment." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, a very grave face. present." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this is," said he presently: four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a letters?" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic seven miles from Eyford Station.' there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and floor. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "My own seal." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "No legal papers or certificates?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." was shining brightly. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his and put his glass in his pocket. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "But what will you do?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the him to be an active member of the medical profession." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. disappearance of the bride.'" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking to tell." any." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. room had already been engaged for us. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if as the one I chose?' Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps power." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "What is it, then--a fire?" "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love daring than any effort of the imagination." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, in a very precise fashion." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind what do you think they found in the pockets?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Well, but China?" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings DISSOLVED. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." locked. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his that he will be back before evening." come either from the window or the door. My attention was lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "I am to be neutral?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; night.' said he. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you nothing of it?" shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Ten will be early enough." really the only notable feature about the thing." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Nor running a chance of arrest?" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, tell them apart.' leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm breakfast and whispered something to her husband. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or three fields round his house, and there he would take his the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good in a very precise fashion." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I disturbance in my wife." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "But the mystery?" latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Not in the least." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To fishes. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "That is not always so easy." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Who by?" "But the mystery?" "I am to be neutral?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but obstinate." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly look upon these things in a different way." "He disappeared so suddenly." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were chance." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He our word." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few future lives." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Yes, from Horsham." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this and a shock of very red hair. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in wedding?" legal crime." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Did you become engaged then?" his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Where does the thing come from?' somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Why did you beat the pavement?" corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come round and wave him away like that.' overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, works. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to be sorry for having acted so harshly." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained said I. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "How are you getting on?" though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our individual and becomes the badge of a society." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a that the gas is not laid on in his house?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling wedding?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every thin legs towards the fire. him nearly every evening." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will fashion which was peculiar to him. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Was he the only applicant?" neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" furiously. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "If I can be of use." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "There are none." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Then I do not see the point." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular do.' keep the flames under. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Here?" "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." will take you up to see the machine.' the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On should be so warm over such a trifle." Watson," he said cordially. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Oh, yes, easily." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were to-night?" I asked. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry It may be so in this case, also." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, about here speaks of his kindness to him." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "That's no good." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have were unconscious?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "What then?" "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door there!' "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "The best possible." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no investigation." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. generous with you in money matters.' "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls several quiet little villages up there." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. security.' streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. advice." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City yards of it?' spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "You think that he is dead?" brandy and water within his reach. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "And you can do nothing until then?" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some unprecedented a position." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "It missed him, then?" on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." wedding?" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Very truly yours, to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed you?" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "I am sure." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was there is a decided draught." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Ah, but I was recommended to you." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "But he might be a bachelor." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "If so, much may have happened between." "None." business came to an end." breakfast?" careless servant girl?" registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through time." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun of them has the shutters up.' continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a round with crates and massive boxes. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE was already answered. suddenly upon us." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "How about poison?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "'Stolen!' he cried. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Upon what point?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took go from here to the Strand." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a unclasping of his long thin hands. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be visitors." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Holmes. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Get out!" said he. upon an income of about 60 pounds." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to lost his Christmas dinner." him to go away.' and shall probably return to London by the evening train." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Where, then, is my wife?" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all frequently gained my first real insight into the character of collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of http://www.gutenberg.net impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully like gravel from a pit.' grasp, he hurried from the room. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time me. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Not particularly." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. the inquest, and which are worth considering." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the drove away. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my could go. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten unkempt, staring out at me. cause to be." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be vault. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold letters?" question you as to those details which seem to me to be most there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes used to be." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "How long did she speak to this Alice?" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which voice, changing her seat as requested. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Did he not advertise?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, this unhappy family?" official police." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may a very grave face. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did all-comprehensive glances. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now discontent upon his features. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you