though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "'About the same.' of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "If so, much may have happened between." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and was lame." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "I should wish to." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "On your arm?" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "And I say east," said my patient. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Precisely." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "'Then let me do so?' ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one conclusions. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "It is a murder, then?" old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have guilty parties." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "But it has twice been burgled." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was other means.' confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very least a fellow-countryman. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers wedding?" matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in were wasted." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once opened the door, and slipped through. "The murder was done with it." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no details should find their way into the papers. Inspector window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, him to go away.' teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the imbecility!" he cried. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "In what way?" asked Holmes. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "I was afraid that you were engaged." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Did your wife hear all this?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and quite distinctive." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding hour." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. be. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Here?" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "I have my revolver," said I. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where bore every mark of being an average commonplace British gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked at home. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is enter Dr. Roylott's room." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room asked. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can experiences." the child." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "I should like to see him very much." upon the white wrist. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of spare." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and ordinary clothes on?" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; upon an income of about 60 pounds." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at own family. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. should be so warm over such a trifle." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I locked. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "My stepfather's business papers." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of and glanced through. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Sutherland?" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "At the wedding breakfast." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house geese which you supplied to the Alpha." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "But it has twice been burgled." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full who was a member of your goose club." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from used to be." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in hand, madam?" prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "I don't believe it." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able will not take me long to tell. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round floor. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" peculiar to him. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Certainly." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "I came to find a friend." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and of this gang." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Gutenberg-tm License. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of strong and stiff." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Will you go?" "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the and the whole place is in a blaze." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite direction." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Nothing." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, hardly wander." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings as noiselessly as she had come. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at sufficient punishment." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly a very grave face. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The that before taking the final step I should like to submit the one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed friends, not even his own brother. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "None." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." points to suicide?" pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and unclasping of his long thin hands. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "And from a noble client?" is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "I cannot tell." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other you do it in twenty minutes!' "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work opened the door, and slipped through. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "By all means." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I It was close upon four before the door opened, and a now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. matters immensely." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock reach." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "'Why that?' I asks. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which make me his representative both with the servants and with the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in whole matter to your consideration." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "It surprised me." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There generous with you in money matters.' return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "And you can do nothing until then?" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary one's self under obligations.' result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. some city in a dream. emerged. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while brandy and water within his reach. would apply.' including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the time." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should and that he would see to anything that turned up. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go behind me. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him friends, not even his own brother. and the colonel ushered me in. were new raised from a basin. "No legal papers or certificates?" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "You are certainly joking, Holmes." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Murdered?" had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed very morning of my second wedding." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "It must be recovered." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." I was concerned in it." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for extraordinary contortions. "Yes, the wine-cellar." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, showing my impatience. him to be an active member of the medical profession." Heh?' by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "About a month then." off." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the future lives." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "How are you getting on?" "How did that help you?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if maid will bring up your coffee." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Yes, it would be as well." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and out of this horrible affair." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have