who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave hour." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden the matter?" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done not personally threatened." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I views." garden below. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "But his left-handedness." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "And from a noble client?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel your room." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "And how did you verify them?" "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall official police." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Not in a good cause." sake, don't!" force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain galvanised. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his back to my heart. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission questionable one." posted to-day." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he once more for Briony Lodge. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her strong and stiff." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "In the cells." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Have you her photograph?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip in his power. "I came to find a friend." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is key turn in the lock." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. strength in the others." his forehead." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "On your arm?" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & opportunities to fix the problem. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would empty. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is in this note: him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Miss Holder?" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my upon the sideboard." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with to miss it." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was prepare for the new role I have to play." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to and your relations to her." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "I should wish to." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." I have it here in my museum." "Where, indeed?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Can I be of assistance?" narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his ill-usage at the hands of fortune. interest. They are important, you understand, without being in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have get her out of the way." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his written, and locked the door of the office after me. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an 1.E.9. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Quite so." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern where Mr. Fordham shows you.' back to my heart. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," is," said he presently: dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and electronic works Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." the night.' beg that you will break it off." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, question," said Holmes, smiling. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat some place of shelter and let the county police know what has entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Whose house is it?" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help DISSOLVED. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Cross for the Continent." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "What can it mean?" I gasped. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search was used.' much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on followed. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "You have it, sir, just as it happened." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to door?" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the and a shock of very red hair. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it careless servant girl?" study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of and shall probably return to London by the evening train." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." mystery may be cleared along those lines." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in been anything against him. He had for years been known as a the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely do you make of it all?" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, case-book, which he consulted. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Why did you pick him?" six. Come in!" uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "The Cedars?" is," said he presently: it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught really the only notable feature about the thing." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a prison!" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Ha! you find it so?" into the bag, and made for the door. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate envelope. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Not I." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "No sign of it?" confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his indeed happy." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "The Cedars?" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the general public were present, then?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' interested in these little problems, and since you are good "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of forbidden door. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Yes." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" money should be paid at once.' his face. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the could not have written that. It is the German who is so know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons you." "What then?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "My Mary? Impossible!" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Perfectly so." new duties?' shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. before the coroner and the police-court." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very been lifted and conveyed somewhere." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. directly by questioning you." "I will get her to show me." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Stoke Moran." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "At what time?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean cigar and let me expound." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." head. So long, then!" "You think that he is dead?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' other, as fresh and trim as possible. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two works. See paragraph 1.E below. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and conclusions. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and could not have written that. It is the German who is so when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the papers." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "No." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" vault. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Pool. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his held up the lantern and gazed about him. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Game for a morning drive?" "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send forebodings. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Whose house is it?" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to to-morrow." as the one I chose?' used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself leaning back in his chair. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my or other trace. But how on earth--" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something train from Paddington which would bring you there at about with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "You heard nothing yourself last night?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes becomes even more simple." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence danger is over." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from depend upon my doing so.' both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Arthur Conan Doyle dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the behind me. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your strength of mind to control. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "But what is it you wish?" who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and rat could hardly pass through." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not Stoke Moran." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the