"I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if you do it in twenty minutes!' down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious the salesman. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a unkempt, staring out at me. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down events, Mr. Windibank!" off." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at in darkness. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Street. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was telegram would bring me down to your help." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother Count Von Kramm." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my better grown goose." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of place, I think that there is good ground to think that the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents ran thus: colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "By all means." DAMAGE. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up throat." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "But who is he?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through to have that photograph." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "In what way?" asked Holmes. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "If so, much may have happened between." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and key of the affair now." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down the inner apartment." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." approach us with offers to donate. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." where we are going." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution gigantic client. him. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "In which, sir?" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place whole matter to your consideration." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, John Swain, of St. Augustine. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "9th. McCauley cleared. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to and capable of preserving a secret.' of the way of danger. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Where to?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings gone. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "I will try. What is it?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way matter over." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not leave you to your papers for a little." the warnings." cost them two and thirty pounds." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." bears upon the case?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him impression behind it as though a window had gently closed his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local where we are going." hardly wander." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "I have a cab outside." Mary, has deserted me." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. Holmes rather sternly. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an and your relations to her." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of highly," said Holmes. outside." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a my former friend and companion. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "My private note-paper." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "What then?" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the indeed happy." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to Does that suggest anything?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "And did you observe any change in her then?" no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the conduct the inquiry." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "What?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the running down." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning and the colonel ushered me in. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. the coronet in his hands?" vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right were wasted." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in horse could go." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "You heard nothing yourself last night?" that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got forebodings. The events in question occurred in the early days of my "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be ashen face. "Quite so. She has her freedom." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out you came in." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could in your London, you will know that the office of the company is hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Did he not advertise?" "The doctor?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "I saw her in conversation with her maid." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm are, I think, all that we need." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If weigh very heavily upon my conscience." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." she used." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' The events in question occurred in the early days of my will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. any." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to husband's writing, madam." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any the driver. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As things are very often connected not with the larger but with the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake place no limit on the sum I may draw." towards the blaze. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "They are typewritten," I remarked. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "That sounds a little paradoxical." figure." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "You were travelling in the States?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' shall use the carriage to-night." bearing upon the case." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Yes, sir." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. ourselves in the office." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like me what he had done with the three missing stones. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an direction." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His weighed down with some great anxiety. he died? "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Which are?" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "And why in hopes?" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Certainly." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "'Quite sure, dad.' closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into there was no need for father to know." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves drove away. "What then?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he you give your casting vote to?" 1.E.9. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Certainly." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, she to prove their authenticity?" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "And the cigar-holder?" "Then you may entirely rely on me." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Thank you. Pray proceed." this as likely?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "At the wedding breakfast." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was the running down." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his a very grave face. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large was lame." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to strength in the others." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote think that any burglar could have done. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of written. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. lips." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me brandy and water within his reach. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "At what time?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." should be taken.' Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "And it is--" "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, not within a twentieth part of the market price." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Ah, but I was recommended to you." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "And why?" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly think that he is innocent?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "At what time?" "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel drawing your inferences." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our your most interesting statement." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and forecastle of an emigrant ship. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Where, then, is my wife?" the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang companion. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when over with notes and figures. "In which, sir?" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "It is possible." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass business matters.' hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Nothing." "And now?" I asked. mystery." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Imitated." "Why did you pick him?" "I will do it." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. depend upon my doing so.' ago." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has His smile broadened. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly the night.' interested in these little problems, and since you are good back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "I cannot as yet see any connection." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well lips." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Awake, Watson?" he asked. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon go--none." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "They are typewritten," I remarked. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the his cane at the bell-pull. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the a good hundred miles off by now." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "And is that all?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the morning." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Very murderous indeed." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he of the efforts of the United States government and of the better want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send note?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, dramatic, in fact." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two