Holmes." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for habit of advancing money.' "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry was it brought him the coronet? postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel chair. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying I think that I could be of assistance to you." "'Oh, no.' definite end. there." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I had died away into the silence from which it rose. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "'Certainly,' I answered. "The best possible." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would telegram would bring me down to your help." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, good for you to do.' tell him that I know him to be innocent." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his conclusions. "10th. John Swain cleared. were wasted." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three to take care of herself." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and writer." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "It surprised me." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do how narrow had been my escape. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a License. You must require such a user to return or occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. to-night." "'Yes, sir.' photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. fire. You quite follow me?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" garden below. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "But you were on a friendly footing?" a room. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." and laid it on the table. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. neither fascinating nor artistic." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he You can understand that this register and diary may implicate by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Where, then, is my wife?" "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Then, as to money?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a the matter?" parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "What will you say?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. nights." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "I was certainly surprised to find you there." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Pray do so." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the compunction about shooting them down." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the was a loud and authoritative tap. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into held up the lantern and gazed about him. indeed which he could not unravel. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Where to?" mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. grasp, he hurried from the room. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the someone who had been in Australia." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely of it with the greatest attention. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side all-comprehensive glances. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "I think it very unlikely." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, carpenter." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. have one." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would question. not fit the lock." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all carpenter." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination whether it answered to the description of any of their step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." towards the blaze. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "We have tried and failed." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Breckinridge is his name." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, window when the police appeared." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "I see many objections to any such theory." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an relation between them, and what the object of his repeated be sorry for having acted so harshly." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this you came in." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. exactly what you advise." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should business matters.' home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the London for the present?" registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "In which, sir?" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging Leadenhall Street--and--" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to triumphant cloud from his cigarette. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of delighted to hear it," he said. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any gentleman's clothes. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get of Fenchurch Street." I shall communicate with you." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "That is it on the dressing-table." something of him before." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had yourselves in at night?" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "What is it, then--a fire?" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns politicians who had been sent down from the North. infinite languor in his face. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "No, I am descending." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land three fields round his house, and there he would take his shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "She told me to ask you." may have an influence upon European history." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up evidence," I remarked. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful situation." "No, I am descending." walking." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Indeed! Whose, then?" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things time." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "You horrify me." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked experiences." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at leaning back in his chair. could not have written that. It is the German who is so "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Surrey." "That is easily got." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, meanly of me." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most and the whole place is in a blaze." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "I would pay ten." "Her father is very rich?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be this truth that in these little records of our cases which you doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we But Holmes shook his head gravely. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "'Certainly,' I answered. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and train from Paddington which would bring you there at about was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his have established a very serious case against the son of the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was returned to France?" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they the general public were present, then?" "Entirely." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "I will get her to show me." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the used to be." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even him and tried to hold him back. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what been able to understand it, in a very few words. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' the best of training." cost them two and thirty pounds." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "The King of Scandinavia." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Entirely." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body the very letters. But what is this written above them?' entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness tear off another piece?' My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea see a sister of mine apply for." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Mrs. Toller serenely. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp shadow pass over his face as I spoke. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "'I am sure if I had known--' "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: will not take me long to tell. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." and the whole place is in a blaze." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Absolutely?" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when companion. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do always that they were such commands as a lady might with "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a woven round him. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Yes, sir." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "It is possible." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "It is a murder, then?" is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection the date of his supposed suicide." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her putting in the horse. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because evidence," I remarked. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "You will not go there first?" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no noise which awoke you from your sleep?" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds other means.' coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Murdered?" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Dr. Gregory B. Newby man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of gives a meaning to it." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey a very grave face. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Your sister is dead, then?" His name is Francis Prosper." What do you deduce from it?" over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Yes, it was twisted." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding best detective that ever lived. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "An accident, I presume?" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us compunction about shooting them down." "If so, much may have happened between." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "By all means." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to lumber-room." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan dear old homesteads?" "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here