once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there simple cases which are so extremely difficult." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he really the only notable feature about the thing." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. the stable lane now." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just take the flies, but not before." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Nothing?" "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. this poor creature." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "'And the work?' you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "And Miss Sutherland?" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Pope's Court. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how one or two very singular points about this room. For example, silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the said he. passage and a tap at the door. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, closely." my little problems." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford which it had come upon my father." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "What can you not understand?" "Pray do so." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Then you may entirely rely on me." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual business matters.' Serpentine Avenue. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our intimate personal affairs in this public manner." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were gone. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a delighted to hear it," he said. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither of campaign. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "'I have already given you my word.' business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "And how did he make his money?" the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us that there was nothing in it, after all." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "I know where it is." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." me what he had done with the three missing stones. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Yes, he did." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out ourselves in the office." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in The summons was a brief and urgent one. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet humiliation." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "But you can know nothing of this?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "What have you to say now?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Doctor, of the paper and the date." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line she might be summoned. residence of the great financier. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "When did she vanish, then?" gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. wedding?" salesman. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us minor matters until to-morrow." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping four million human beings all jostling each other within the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Very truly yours, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." later, upon the night of May 2nd." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to residence of the great financier. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Is he quiet?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. what I may call a really hard day's work." heavy and sharp instrument." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Yes, certainly." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "And why?" about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "If I can be of use." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "What, then?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been begin with, and I had not got mine yet." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father papers." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic voice, changing her seat as requested. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Oh, fresh and glossy." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "It is no ordinary one." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. dear old homesteads?" Holmes' room. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the man. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Come in!" said Holmes. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast indiscretion." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone noble correspondent could be. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. certainly not very gracious." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a morning." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his it were putty." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Holmes' face clouded over. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it started for the Temple to see my husband. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. delirious. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round bed dies. Does not that strike you?" a little more before I quite committed myself. wife's character?" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "I don't say that. Perhaps." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "When did it break out?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too back alive. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Yesterday." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" hair?' poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "'Quite sure, dad.' his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth of the one which your family is now devouring." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt strength." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" that he will be back before evening." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "From his hat?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is the date of his supposed suicide." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me his grey eyes. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a where Mr. Fordham shows you.' on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked ordinary clothes on?" "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. key of the affair now." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its this as likely?" other means.' to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to amused." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. there is a decided draught." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "He disappeared so suddenly." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Literary Archive Foundation than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I breakfast and whispered something to her husband. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Really! You surprise me." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "I have a cab outside." both be extremely obliged.' washing it down with a long draught of water. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice pierced for earrings?" I shall communicate with you." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "I see no marks." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it of your young ladies.' but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "You think so, too?" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "No, I had a dozen." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' it." "An enemy?" "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport what do you think they found in the pockets?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let stammered. the Red-headed League." you in yours." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have Arthur Conan Doyle "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the out." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how http://gutenberg.net/license). terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is outsides of the windows. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few crime. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible an introduction to him?" "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress without success. At last the little money which I had saved began you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian breakfast?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we straightened it out again. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing if she died from some sudden fright." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "My Mary? Impossible!" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "But of what society?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "No." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed ready to-morrow?' transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third vague figure huddled up in the darkness. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "That is it on the dressing-table." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close it." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now again." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Yes, all." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you evidence," I remarked. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Holmes." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and them?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all 'I should be able to look after that for you.' strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "It is his hat." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Pray tell us what has happened to you." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "I see many objections to any such theory."