places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" families. Now for the facts. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we to-night's adventure." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was became a certainty. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but pierced for earrings?" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered with her." do.' "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, and a shock of very red hair. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before bore every mark of being an average commonplace British memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." prison!" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "In San Francisco, a year ago." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and Pope's Court, Fleet Street." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two purpose of examination. coat-tails." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of everything which you would wish to know." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "And now?" He raised his hand. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about individual and becomes the badge of a society." asked. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I at my remark. "Not particularly." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too to some other building. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Not in the least." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard what I may call a really hard day's work." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had of it with the greatest attention. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers said he at last. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was off." way in." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens until night should bring an explanation. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower points in connection with it which never have been, and probably trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave there!' as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "My last client of the sort was a king." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not has little to do with my story." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross the Assizes." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's death." records." all-comprehensive glances. business matters.' He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father think that any burglar could have done. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a letters?" it." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own following enigmatical notices: WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO of it with the greatest attention. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "VIOLET HUNTER." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet at my remark. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Two days later this same performance was gone through under she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our tear off another piece?' "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." own family. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is asked. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "He disappeared so suddenly." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took not, dad?" she asked. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was public press." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. know what is wrong with it.' moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the front of me. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain chill to my heart. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Thank you. And your address?" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "But it has twice been burgled." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that What do you deduce from it?" door?" "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "In San Francisco, a year ago." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "I have solved it." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' chamber." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to so.' things are very often connected not with the larger but with the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I later, upon the night of May 2nd." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "'Stolen!' he cried. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was nonsense.' my room." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of points in connection with it which never have been, and probably tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near your troubles." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well into the bag, and made for the door. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "'Which dealer's?' time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique vague figure huddled up in the darkness. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." if I call to-morrow?" "Yes, all." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Could he throw no light?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a just called myself is not exactly my own." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had excitement. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "I am armed." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "That you are never beaten." examine." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own mysterious business." "Then he might have called to you?" central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but written. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we married her." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite the warnings." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to four million human beings all jostling each other within the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that the one as in the other." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. chance." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect business matters.' "No." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if outbreak?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his never will be, entirely cleared up. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would wedding?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Precisely so. But how--" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" him to be an active member of the medical profession." will take you up to see the machine.' "'Which dealer's?' postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of our word." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in thought that she would have been so carried away." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, stood on the top of it. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "I promise," said Holmes. "What steps will you take?" I asked. lamp. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Upon what point?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "I cannot as yet see any connection." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more beyond words. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I I. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the to tackle the facts." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must shoulder; "he's all right." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying ways including including checks, online payments and credit card vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker get the tickets." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be tied." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend during that time.' struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out during which he might have communicated with his friend the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Then he might have called to you?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have into the room. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Proceed, then." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "But how did you gain them?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a ceremony." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of there has been an enclosure here!" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Why, it's a dummy," said he. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she ashen face. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "You are all wrong." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel been deceived." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he towards the blaze. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "My Mary? Impossible!" through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that be there in time for your coming." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried emerged. "Pray do so." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black shag which I had seen upon the previous night. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "About a month then." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him I shall communicate with you." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a tell them apart.' resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the or in danger--" go back?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. the one as in the other." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself few hundred pounds.' practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "'I shall certainly be there.' paper in the air. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of any little problem which you may submit to me." highly," said Holmes. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it have got?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "What! You do not mean bodies?" "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an skylight. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at some water from a caraffe. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your way in." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "I don't say that. Perhaps." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for again." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it But Holmes shook his head gravely. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were begun to whiten, even as mine has." to-morrow." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat,