gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical outsides of the windows. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I been with you?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a of them has the shutters up.' been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since chair. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "A greater distance to travel." "You have but to name it." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "No, I think that I'll take it." "'I am sure if I had known--' managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who it." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "And what did you learn from him?" will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, existence." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Could he throw no light?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. to some other building. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Then I shall certainly come." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Yes, he did." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock at a side door. "Then I am your man." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "No." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "'And the work?' would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to morning." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his with some details as to your case." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. dates and names. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what arms and began to sob in a high treble key. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "He said that you could solve anything." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Upon what point?" "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through and the whole place is in a blaze." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. case before our client came into the room." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "My private note-paper." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Yes, that is the Crown." occupations.' I took the paper from him and read as follows: Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside enough to aid us in our search." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square not interfere, come what may. You understand?" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. on re-entering her father's house?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must know that the truth is known." done what I asked you, Jones?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her taking in every detail of the apartment. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We legal crime." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been waste of energy." Foundation wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save said he at last. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us been anything against him. He had for years been known as a through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for tell him that I know him to be innocent." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "'Ten to two.' exactly what you advise." "And now?" He raised his hand. promised to bring home. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at you do it in twenty minutes!' "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the the side-table." a very grave face. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both unclasping of his long thin hands. then?" "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out advice." "How are you getting on?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three better in every way that they should make their position a little nothing with him." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our brain must have something in it." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass was a perfect sample of the class. Serpentine Avenue. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. to-night's adventure." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which there when the Rucastles went away." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a goes." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed views." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and will be renamed. "Witness: Nothing definite. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was such person." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or of a light. "Was the window open?" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Never." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "My stepfather's business papers." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "It missed him, then?" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us wedding?" points to suicide?" chance at all." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "He said too much." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and thin legs towards the fire. to a more successful conclusion." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock fire. You quite follow me?" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but kind enough to tell me what I should do." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my characteristics, but those are the more obvious." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they disappearance of these gems?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "'Then let me do so?' about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "I think it very unlikely." floor. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached works. six. Come in!" of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A come either from the window or the door. My attention was "'I am sure that I do not know.' get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" during that time.' purpose equally well?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was distinguish the words: facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to upon the shelf for the interim." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. public press." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "And that is--" wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland could go. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' do.' is four-and-twenty." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "What!" he roared. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! most interesting one." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen the very morning of the wedding." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Who by?" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my information in his hands the value of which he did not himself down from London to inquire more deeply into it." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is gone. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "And what did you see?" head. So long, then!" tension within him. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of His name is Francis Prosper." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Ten will be early enough." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "'Is purely nominal.' in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "It is to him that this trophy belongs." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody and that he would see to anything that turned up. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the neither fascinating nor artistic." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Stoke Moran?" said he. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door silent! Oh, he will be silent!' family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." me what he had done with the three missing stones. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short occurred." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Nearly eleven." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how During two years I have had three consultations and one small served to weaken the effect. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded in my life." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "I have solved it." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have swore that no one else had been in the front room during the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow go back?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "One?" "No?" "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." whole matter to your consideration." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "You think so, too?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main persecution?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "My own seal." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of furiously. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened other lovers by making love himself." spark where all is dark to me." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "You know me, then?" "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish not fit the lock." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "He might." "I say that I have solved it." interests were the same as his." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, just ask you whether you had heard it.' have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That your Highness to the police-station?" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me strode off upon his way. sufficient punishment." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most that you saw all that I did." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is yourselves in at night?"