vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Dark enough and sinister enough." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed back alive. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to he. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a I have it here in my museum." Arthur Conan Doyle attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I head. So long, then!" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "And I to find an enemy." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a may have an influence upon European history." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' emerged. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and keep the flames under. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "That is possible." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his was keenly on my guard against him. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and within hail.' open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of as he folded up the epistle. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his formed some opinion?" with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Ah, but I was recommended to you." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of indeed which he could not unravel. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" returned to France?" Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "I think it very unlikely." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "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." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they you." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming good for you to do.' "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "One of the highest in England." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "You have it, sir, just as it happened." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "My private note-paper." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "'Oh, no.' morning." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had his knees, staring into the fire. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis the stones. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend simple cases which are so extremely difficult." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "You horrify me." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. such attractions and accomplishments?' the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety This is what he says: "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no was feeling which was the fattest.' column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "My dear Holmes!" hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some enter Dr. Roylott's room." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "She walked into the breakfast-room." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. himself to hunt down. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my to talk it over. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "How are you getting on?" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the peculiar to him. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as 'I should be able to look after that for you.' just ask you whether you had heard it.' and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into garden below. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing him to go away.' would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "And your mother is alive?" "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Of what day?" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of really the only notable feature about the thing." ventilator." "It was." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four generous with you in money matters.' have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." legal crime." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love use an arc-and-compass breastpin." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "No, my brougham is waiting." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business plantation.' brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your one of the states of the Union." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." photograph?" touch that coronet?' from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical tell them apart.' right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Can I be of assistance?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Mary, has deserted me." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the matters immensely." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing the house with me." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. it right.' There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for question," said Holmes, smiling. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Perfectly so." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Quite so." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "I see many objections to any such theory." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any throat." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me been able to understand it, in a very few words. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with over here." weighed down with some great anxiety. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "What then?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in both be extremely obliged.' trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his people don't know." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for taking in every detail of the apartment. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that the child." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by bearing upon the case." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Well?" the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. neither fascinating nor artistic." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in showing my impatience. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that to miss it." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would seen the man in the road." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Ah!" nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. entirely lost his self-respect." particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Married! When?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the IS ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You use an arc-and-compass breastpin." morning." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." more solid." "My dear Holmes!" "Tired-looking or fresh?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove least a fellow-countryman. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked towards the blaze. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "It is no ordinary one." "Quite so." ourselves in the office." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I him and tried to hold him back. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Did he not advertise?" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in to-morrow." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Were they all fastened this morning?" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and the best of training." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "'Where could I find him?' objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, his huge brown hands. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about easy-going way." quick march!" "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland your equipment. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in golden eyeglasses. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' fish-monger and a tide-waiter." said he. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." to-night's adventure." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "'I have heard so.' yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads neither fascinating nor artistic." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you better in every way that they should make their position a little man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such examine." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away round and wave him away like that.' was a lad." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you conduct the inquiry." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are and put his glass in his pocket. spare." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "What then?" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which is now desirous of getting those letters back." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the it." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "I saw her in conversation with her maid." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who fait accompli?" characteristics, but those are the more obvious." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" figure." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature with her." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Then I shall certainly come."