air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect unprofitable." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies if I call to-morrow?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "This concluded the examination of the witness." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "None." directors, with the result that you have seen." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the gone before you can get him to hospital." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you vault. with you alone." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "How on earth--" understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, DAMAGE. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "How do you know, then?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "You saw the ventilator, too?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in to-night's adventure." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Holmes, the busybody!" had formerly been in part my own. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "I will get her to show me." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as take the flies, but not before." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Stoke Moran." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been and a shock of very red hair. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Breckinridge is his name." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the matter?" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Is he quiet?" foot. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with own family. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their name is different." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' bell. Holmes whistled. "I don't say that. Perhaps." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "May I see it?" "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough article?" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "He slept on the premises." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At behind me. was feeling which was the fattest.' "Yes, it would be as well." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "In the cells." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found singular points about the case. What did the police think of the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat closing the door. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of is four-and-twenty." coat-tails." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a third from London." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every politicians who had been sent down from the North. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of I shall continue with my miserable story. me. You must get home instantly and act." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old meant it for the best. "Dirty?" "I will do it." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "At the wedding breakfast." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "10th. John Swain cleared. instituted." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from child?' the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst very morning of my second wedding." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. one's self under obligations.' "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. the tragedy. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his you give your casting vote to?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon hands. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a the window, rose as we entered. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Not I." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking guilty parties." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have drawing your inferences." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Yes, only one." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his For additional contact information: importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, his fortune, and I went back to pa. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he excitement. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless all that?" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face so far?" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Stoke Moran?" said he. drove away. appointment with me for six o'clock?" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "My private note-paper." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Then I do not see the point." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. Holmes' face clouded over. note?" bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He opened a pocket-book and took out a note. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "That is easily got." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to asked. behind me. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "I would give my fortune to have them back." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your annoyance, but no jest. "Were they all fastened this morning?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Not social, then?" leaning back in his chair. the best of training." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "This photograph!" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" drawing your inferences." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly in my life." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a to surprise her." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Always." infinite languor in his face. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll obstinate." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I residence of the great financier. night.' said he. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any people in all walks of life. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, as noiselessly as she had come. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows any." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his Surrey." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar guilty one." my former friend and companion. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the that?' solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Your French gold?" that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A individual and becomes the badge of a society." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late the roots. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come once more to my work. the very morning of the wedding." you give your casting vote to?" "You are hungry," I remarked. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "The best possible." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I examine." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." IS Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had chill to my heart. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Then I can wait in the next room." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson promised to bring home. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate beyond words. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good character. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Not I." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest forbidden door. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is to have that photograph." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' investigation." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a of the one which your family is now devouring." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, bill, which interests me deeply." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his later, upon the night of May 2nd." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Yes." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." tail." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress been anything against him. He had for years been known as a then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very several quiet little villages up there." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back test if we have an answer to our advertisement." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black III. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Thank you. And your address?" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the Holmes' room. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Have you her photograph?" alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here few hundred pounds.' "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried perplexity from it to my illustrious client. question," said Holmes, smiling. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you noble correspondent could be. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social promised to bring home. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel States. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was the bed, and you in that chair." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to she to prove their authenticity?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may wife's character?" thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side allusion to a rat. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for fact, we may call it conclusive." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "What will you say?" "Yes, it would be as well." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed annoyance, but no jest. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "But who is he?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "I came to find a friend." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "You have compromised yourself seriously." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did