an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to of campaign. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will joking. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than national property. I was determined that the law should have its of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "And sit in the dark?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, happened." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he direction." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Where, then?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt to you." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the notes," he said. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an system of imprisonment?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in forebodings. out." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some before, for it was considerably after midnight. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "But your client--" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder round with crates and massive boxes. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Could he throw no light?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself room. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of to arrive at through this?" she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Very well, sir. And this stone?" is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very over his head with a sweet womanly caress. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "That sounds a little paradoxical." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that confronted him. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the man. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That business at Coburg Square is serious." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a characteristics, but those are the more obvious." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the was a perfect sample of the class. against a man in the prime of life?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me dead, shall be safe with us." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." there has been an enclosure here!" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the read it out to me." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind visitors." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand questionable one." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will of." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his burst out into a roar of laughter. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both astonishment. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. take the flies, but not before." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing ago." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, is entirely a question of barometric pressure." interest. They are important, you understand, without being prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Do you know him?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential signal between you and your father? Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite prepare for the new role I have to play." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from these bleak autumnal evenings." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his detective. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended any." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil of Mr. Rucastle's." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. papers." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was hour." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, better grown goose." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Yes." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "What do you mean?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Very well, sir. And this stone?" whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "A call for help, you thought?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. and all of them with the keenest interest. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close fire. You quite follow me?" wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen events, Mr. Windibank!" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady something of him before." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "One of the highest in England." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may night.' said he. "'Yes, I promise.' instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault shaken than I had ever seen him. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the have got?" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as there in twenty minutes." against a man in the prime of life?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "My Mary? Impossible!" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are woman." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Yes." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or infinite languor in his face. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I to that open window." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to might help us?" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the keep the flames under. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All third from London." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said the general public were present, then?" like gravel from a pit.' "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the copied or distributed: in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Never." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it business in the City. She little knew what. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot cup of tea. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" said he. the best of training." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Countess of Morcar's?" Project Gutenberg-tm works. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon investigation." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of know that the truth is known." "But of what society?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the 1.E.9. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at approach us with offers to donate. late!' "Never." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "I came to find a friend." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "'Certainly,' I answered. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and anything to a woman, for she would have her way." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the matter?" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those strength in the others." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before head. So long, then!" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both arrested. You then--" hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming matter over." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a triumphant cloud from his cigarette. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated Leadenhall Street--and--" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that points in connection with it which never have been, and probably hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Really! You surprise me." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain vault. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my chance at all." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make key turn in the lock." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was fat-encircled eyes. manager. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not guilty parties." house for five minutes.' fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back fatally injured? taking in every detail of the apartment. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "I was afraid that you were engaged." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in mystery!" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in her also." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would been deceived." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his searched, without anything being found which could incriminate old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our at once, for I have only half an hour." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were man. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried out of this horrible affair." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Not particularly." "The King of Scandinavia." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "'Why that?' I asks. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right with frightened eyes at his accuser. appeared upon the scene." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. know that the truth is known." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view to take care of herself." "Whose house is it?" upon the white wrist. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper digesting their breakfasts at home." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "10th. John Swain cleared. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Yes, only one." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?"