matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and the coronet in his hands?" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." the child." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have his cane at the bell-pull. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Well, it is a possible supposition." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, whole matter to your consideration." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "The rest you will leave in our hands." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting 11:15.' actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "One horse?" interjected Holmes. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought go from here to the Strand." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Then I am your man." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet guilty one." disappearance of the bride.'" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your shall use the carriage to-night." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he seven miles from Eyford Station.' I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the outside. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "But who is he?" "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Nothing?" "Who by?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you believe that I should never have any practice at all. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "At what time?" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in ago." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "'Most admirably.' on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how said he, "my real name is James Ryder." and wait." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "To ruin me." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted not as remarkable as your advertisement." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Edgeware Road. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at three of the beryls in it, was missing. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard hard-headed British jury." is four-and-twenty." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Pray continue your narrative." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this official police." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during whatever might befall. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. joking. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to that I can to serve you." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As My friend smiled. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. without a word or a look. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Nothing?" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six hopeless attempt at recovering them." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, one's self under obligations.' fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I there." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few gigantic client. "And I say east," said my patient. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the quickly through a disagreeable task. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated to-morrow." ceremony." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "The vanishing of the lady." bird of prey. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "How are you getting on?" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "There are none." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "What will you say?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what some city in a dream. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and together. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for derbies." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need unprecedented a position." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted vanished into the darkness. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help photograph?" contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were you came in." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: things are very often connected not with the larger but with the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "And when will you call?" "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my that, and I came down." happened." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its to-night." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. developed." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though even so self-evident a thing as that." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining you." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. interested in these little problems, and since you are good one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of door?" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend it." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed a few minutes he said that it would be all right. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to thin legs towards the fire. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four 1.F. "The rest you will leave in our hands." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of the window, rose as we entered. "You are hungry," I remarked. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away existence." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "How did you trace it, then?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious them present such singular features as the strange train of "Will you go?" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told sit on the left-hand side of the driver." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely that you saw all that I did." sparkled upon his finger. "It was." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I there in twenty minutes." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Texas, I think." "9th. McCauley cleared. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot plantation.' your sleep?' "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly hour?' am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to was not a bird to be seen there. always that they were such commands as a lady might with number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "I am about to be married." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for 1.E.9. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up interested in these little problems, and since you are good back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "And now?" I asked. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more congratulate you again." clanging. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very tell them apart.' statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "And how have you succeeded?" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up affection." chambers. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive But Holmes shook his head gravely. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the the tragedy. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing hard-headed British jury." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the During two years I have had three consultations and one small "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and already referred to. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. DAMAGE. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "It is no ordinary one." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it carpenter." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his to arrive at through this?" "I should wish to." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Which are?" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my to me. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "I do." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast to his chemical studies. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold room had already been engaged for us. IS company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the you in yours." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did of a light. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Pope's Court. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a It may be so in this case, also." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the little opening for the ventilator is." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Have you it here?" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we people don't know." "My last client of the sort was a king." to take care of herself." "But how did you gain them?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' arrangements." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came that I am arrested." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your young Openshaw's." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much was lame." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the presume?" the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Bought." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I third from London." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for she might be summoned. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most to-night." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. fishes. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more of receipt of the work. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "That was it, sir." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by