disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, retorted upon me, and I on you." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then to talk it over. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Whose house is it?" going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever in his power. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to that you can jump it.' it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the cause to be." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" that, and I came down." made him keep the appointment." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Why serious?" "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "In answer to an advertisement." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me his eyes and forehead. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. this unhappy family?" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a visitors." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel mysterious end." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "'Which dealer's?' would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "I will get her to show me." "A confidential servant?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." bachelor.' red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass experiences." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Yes, he did." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner extraordinary contortions. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a whole matter to your consideration." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every business in the City. She little knew what. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." extraordinary contortions. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Munro.' stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no appeared upon the scene." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he as he folded up the epistle. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right must be when I saw the door open.' Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "'I have already given you my word.' views." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry whereabouts. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "And sit in the dark?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" results." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Where does the thing come from?' speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your heavy and sharp instrument." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another electronic works promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom few hundred pounds.' "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone opened a pocket-book and took out a note. was lame." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "My dear Holmes!" "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "My photograph." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal know what is wrong with it.' "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since some terrible trap for her." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in upon the shelf for the interim." an introduction to him?" could gather together that I was able to avert another public "You are all wrong." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite derbies." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed these bleak autumnal evenings." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, generous with you in money matters.' "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there done what I asked you, Jones?" scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "It's nothing of the kind." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the shaken than I had ever seen him. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own now. It seems that there had been some informality about their silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever wedding?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Then the page we have seen--" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as stalked out of the room. friends, not even his own brother. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned I am not easy in my mind about them." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "That also I could fathom." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with letters?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, mystery!" rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' the ceiling. here." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a extraordinary contortions. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Frequently." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that felt the room to be a little close.' spark where all is dark to me." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the it." "In answer to an advertisement." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the salesman. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a business at Coburg Square is serious." "Entirely." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the room. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My cigar and let me expound." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Sutherland?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your is entirely a question of barometric pressure." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Was there a secret marriage?" "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "'What then?' I asked. and laid it on the table. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "'As governess?' outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Serpentine Avenue. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "To an end?" distinguish the words: unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "But how will you look?" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, guilty one." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "'Yes, it was gone.' always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, closing the door. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I as the one I chose?' "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate once more to my work. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. woman." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old the devil!" gbnewby@pglaf.org Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the to take care of herself." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "But what harm can there be in that?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a then?" think, you have already met." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is the roots. "This concluded the examination of the witness." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which constraint." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "And for present expenses?" he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see friends, not even his own brother. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full weighed down with some great anxiety. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this in this way: "And Irene Adler?" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper must compliment you." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the approach us with offers to donate. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that This is what he says: I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a the matter?" stepfather?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door tapping his fingers upon the table. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his would apply.' equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His once more for Briony Lodge. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Where to?" feature." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the business came to an end." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Well." "And you thought he was pulled back?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my right! Sit down and let us talk it over." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "And who is her maid?" "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in out." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' late!' "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "But to whom?" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the Sholtos." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "How do you know, then?" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, companion. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Did your wife hear all this?" tightly behind him. "But what is it you wish?" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the official police." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Seven!" I answered. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or on in his house." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "'And the work?' room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted depend upon my doing so.' prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering said he, "my real name is James Ryder." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings people don't know." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Did you become engaged then?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "No." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her reach." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "'Which dealer's?' I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon During two years I have had three consultations and one small "That sounds a little paradoxical." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering."