and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees Sholtos." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "How on earth--" the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "'Oh, no.' "Entirely." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the house with me." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm read over the extraordinary announcement. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask subject to the trademark license, especially commercial and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "So it appears." go back?" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "But he might be a bachelor." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. unprofitable." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some had a long day." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "What! a murderous attack?" reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his direction." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a kindly on the shoulder. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "But how will you look?" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Yes." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself the best of training." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after status with the IRS. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Yes. He waved his hands." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if Does that suggest anything?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said handed it to him. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, place of silver." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking fluttered off among the others. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from in his hands." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "No, distinctly professional." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have gives a meaning to it." horse could go." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Bought." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "I was mad--insane." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all mystery!" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Here?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "That sounds a little paradoxical." suddenly upon us." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, is worth.' it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Your presence might be invaluable." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Stolen, then." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached to arrive at through this?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" over with notes and figures. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would I leave." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "That was it, sir." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, him nearly every evening." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been remarked. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with fact, we may call it conclusive." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this desk. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some October 9, 1890. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it During two years I have had three consultations and one small case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the in a friendly supper." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the done what I asked you, Jones?" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was little trying to do so much typewriting?" finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Now, then, what's the last entry?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "That also I could fathom." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be him nearly every evening." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a of the one which your family is now devouring." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him despaired of." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one fasten all the windows?" "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had stalked out of the room. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and relation between them, and what the object of his repeated some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he over part of the map. "What do you read?" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she look dissatisfied." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." in this note: "You did not overhear what they said?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." and laid it on the table. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his individual and becomes the badge of a society." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had will he say when he returns?" phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for silent! Oh, he will be silent!' owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to one of them." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came without success. At last the little money which I had saved began passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned when your master had gone out." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "And you thought he was pulled back?" for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had believe that I should never have any practice at all. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "At half-wages, in fact." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Do you go out much in society?" "What, then, did Peterson do?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that other, as fresh and trim as possible. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our the Friday. Was it to be in church?" over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Yes." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "At the wedding breakfast." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he the ceiling. "The knees of his trousers." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, States. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and people don't know." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather go from here to the Strand." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Precisely so. But how--" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "None." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and question. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered Cross for the Continent." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "And it is--" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "When did it break out?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Game for a morning drive?" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." that I may have something better before very many minutes are he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which speckled band?" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that feature." in his hands." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by retorted upon me, and I on you." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. place no limit on the sum I may draw." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so with some details as to your case." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in flock.' took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious said he, "my real name is James Ryder." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police electronic works Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" bled considerably." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "And who is her maid?" him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "'About the same.' recover the gem." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and results." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the wedding?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too know what is wrong with it.' face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "None." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid rat could hardly pass through." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know did not hear it also.' thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I as the one I chose?' latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Dr. Gregory B. Newby endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and charge against him will break down." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are friend's singular character. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Absolutely none." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been a good hundred miles off by now." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are sake, don't!" noble correspondent could be. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind article?" "Here?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In see me here to avoid scandal." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to the tragedy. clang of the bell. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Why did you beat the pavement?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off to-night?" I asked. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his said Mr. Holder. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "But I have heard all that you have heard." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled it were putty." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised never to learn it at all." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. and your relations to her." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" wall." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to threw himself down with his face to the pillow. always that they were such commands as a lady might with more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Very much so." colour had been driven from his face. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there bird of prey. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "By all means." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do to tell." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "No, I had a dozen." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The before, for it was considerably after midnight. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in infinite languor in his face. but preventing her from injuring another. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a of them has the shutters up.' and no precautions can guard against." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced mystery may be cleared along those lines." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "'As governess?' "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie?