than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of His name is Francis Prosper." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our persecution?" "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "By no means." "How do you know, then?" "Very much so." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "I cannot imagine." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of spark where all is dark to me." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Yes, but only for you and me." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. I shall continue with my miserable story. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "But how will you look?" "10th. John Swain cleared. my secret was safe in his possession. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to conversation I have gathered that they have been married about carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and interests were the same as his." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your you." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. one of the states of the Union." make me his representative both with the servants and with the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate indeed which he could not unravel. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "What?" the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable vanished into the darkness. "A greater distance to travel." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a any little problem which you may submit to me." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "There is the writing." "What is it, then--a fire?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which floor. depend upon my doing so.' repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Pray continue your narrative." "I beg pardon." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a the general public were present, then?" received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her arrangements." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "10th. John Swain cleared. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but noting anything else of interest. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You his wife has ceased to love him." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "'Where could I find him?' "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the where we are going." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to arms and began to sob in a high treble key. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could shadow pass over his face as I spoke. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "That also I could fathom." "Certainly." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "I fear not." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. there when the Rucastles went away." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a States. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "And now?" He raised his hand. of the vacancies.' us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being you?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I forbidden door. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining suggested at once that there must be a communication between the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Your sister is dead, then?" you for a few hours?" France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, learned something! Where are the gems?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. someone who had been in Australia." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a hopeless attempt at recovering them." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in round with crates and massive boxes. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and present strange and interesting features that it is no easy and files of the old papers, following the future career of every just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "'Yes.' not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, remarked. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "I will do it." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "To the police?" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm business?" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" other means.' And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of lost his Christmas dinner." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Where is it, then?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the late!' the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a 1.F. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He of the way of danger. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt less than 26s. 4d. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "There are none." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Well?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding morning." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "I am all attention, madam." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole page at http://pglaf.org side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Yes." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him detective. "'Why that?' I asks. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Stolen, then." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Just look it up, then." south, for the country is more deserted there." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Did he not advertise?" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he come either from the window or the door. My attention was predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & them, and came down just as you departed. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "And what did you see?" that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little other lovers by making love himself." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate constraint." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would photograph?" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." fire. You quite follow me?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. sound at heart." "Very much so." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." fait accompli?" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom remarked. power." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've British peeress.'" the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." it right.' It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter himself to tell his story. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "I shall most certainly do so." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it call you and give you the chance." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Henry Baker is a member." dramatic, in fact." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "On your arm?" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the as the one I chose?' meanly of me." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate money should be paid at once.' open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised happened." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. I was concerned in it." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "It came here." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, to miss it." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over my former friend and companion. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Did you become engaged then?" "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "How did he come?" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own reach." know what is wrong with it.' mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, But Holmes shook his head gravely. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other His smile broadened. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "'Stolen!' he cried. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of locked." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my any." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was had picked up in the wood. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, chance." "Why? What do you mean?" very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you the stable lane now." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any to surprise her." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was I shall communicate with you." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Perfectly so." stood on the top of it. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the do you make of it all?" description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" as the one I chose?' harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "I will do it." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "His face fell immediately. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Doctor, of the paper and the date." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "No, I am descending." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at