words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, way in everything. was keenly on my guard against him. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is and the whole place is in a blaze." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work forebodings. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in It may be so in this case, also." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "He disappeared so suddenly." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Yes." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; rooms." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Yes." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment hereditary King of Bohemia." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair despair." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right of Fenchurch Street." gone. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." charged with?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss trifles." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were will find little credit to be gained out of this case." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "And why?" few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some had picked up in the wood. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Well, some hundreds of times." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch late!' "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Why, what do you mean?" "Dirty?" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "What! Had he lost his wife?" "I have seen the police." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "If I can be of use." he died? "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Game for a morning drive?" "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Upon what point?" "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same electronic works Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "But he might be a bachelor." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running me." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Watson," he said cordially. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." to a more successful conclusion." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time you?" "But of what society?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and remarked. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey you found me to-night--and running through the front room she through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram way in." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed case-book, which he consulted. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. manager. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I think that he is innocent?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a second window is the one that I jumped from." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Certainly." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." companion quietly. "I should wish to." "But how did you gain them?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "I shall most certainly do so." hurried away. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "I am still in the dark." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, some terrible trap for her." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of But Holmes shook his head gravely. is," said he presently: the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Precisely so. But how--" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "An enemy?" and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went must compliment you." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the side. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her views." "Precisely." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again details should find their way into the papers. Inspector closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Then, how do you know?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully affair. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "One?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his threw himself down with his face to the pillow. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest politicians who had been sent down from the North. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a shag which I had seen upon the previous night. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even London for the present?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his case before our client came into the room." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "'I am sure that I do not know.' that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. the Assizes." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the foresight and the moral retrogression?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute photograph?" "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "If so, much may have happened between." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the there in twenty minutes." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for murdered man." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Well." such attractions and accomplishments?' gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough is entirely a question of barometric pressure." she used." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Then, as to money?" demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project results." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat you in yours." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point points to suicide?" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him residence of the great financier. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical particular state visit http://pglaf.org pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in than to us. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." drove away. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Where, then?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black me. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' where Mr. Fordham shows you.' which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "That is not always so easy." "'How far from the body?' mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "'A dozen yards or so.' "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I politicians who had been sent down from the North. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting voice, changing her seat as requested. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to fluttered off among the others. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so You can understand that this register and diary may implicate comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the father's place of business?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Then how many are there?" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its copied or distributed: "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of better in every way that they should make their position a little gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see London for the present?" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the and all of them with the keenest interest. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you bell. Holmes whistled. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Proceed, then." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily think that he is innocent?" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "I guessed as much." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was bled considerably." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact it." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was that threaten you." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As considering the formidable letters which were received by himself back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Pray be precise as to details," said he. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any hard-headed British jury." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "'Ten to two.' which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is retorted upon me, and I on you." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from someone who had been in Australia." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. have accepted such a situation. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Of what day?" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "And your father? Did you tell him?" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took back to my heart. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." ran thus: "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "It was." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his to-night?' and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that the Red-headed League." "'A dozen yards or so.' Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very shadow pass over his face as I spoke. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you and the colonel ushered me in. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Dark enough and sinister enough." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business daring than any effort of the imagination." observed. "I beg pardon." charge against him will break down." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "9th. McCauley cleared. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and asked with his eyes open. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." such attractions and accomplishments?' so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at the iron safe, which he closed upon it. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You gentleman's clothes. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings not as remarkable as your advertisement." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a to have that photograph." girl said." will be renamed. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly that he has suffered." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too