"Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to public press." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "In heaven's name, what for?" outbreak?" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Then I can wait in the next room." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "'And what salary do you ask?' He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, problems help me to do so." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "I should like to see him very much." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is you?' "Do you know him?" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From right! Sit down and let us talk it over." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having be there in time for your coming." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." presented more singular features than that which was associated and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Who was the criminal, then?" companion quietly. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "How long did she speak to this Alice?" a very grave face. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed outside." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very be there in time for your coming." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Certainly." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I strode off upon his way. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" kind enough to tell me what I should do." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. eavesdroppers?' I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, giving me time to thank him. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too companion. a very grave face. "At half-wages, in fact." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature I was concerned in it." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her bled considerably." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Was she in good spirits?" from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Yes, certainly." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon indiscretion." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up him." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working to a light-house. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Yes." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "You are all wrong." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have and laid it on the table. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Your sister is dead, then?" bears upon the case?" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you so far?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What looking up at the numbers of the houses." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' down from London to inquire more deeply into it." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "He might." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may really the only notable feature about the thing." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a man. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may not interfere, come what may. You understand?" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "You will not go there first?" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little awaited us upon the table. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "No. What a strange idea!" in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The husband's writing, madam." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room is worth.' "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said at my remark. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double several quiet little villages up there." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." bedroom door." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' late!' the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they presented which may be striking and bizarre without being present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "I think that I had better go, Holmes." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "And the cigar-holder?" shoulder; "he's all right." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in more solid." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Just look it up, then." on in his house." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "But how did you gain them?" "It is his hat." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what down in his armchair and closing his eyes. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Get out!" said he. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your time." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his was not a bird to be seen there. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the behind me. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm companion quietly. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying persecution?" quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the father's young wife. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very guilty one." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "No, I think that I'll take it." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was she used." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. union?" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "You horrify me." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel beyond words. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Always." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." that I can to serve you." anything to do with the matter?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent tell them apart.' Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "I should be immensely obliged to you." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "The Coroner: What do you mean? me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. business." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so went to the Alpha were town bred." out of this horrible affair." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "She told me to ask you." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "None." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "But how will you look?" phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "So I heard. You have him here?" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in advice." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and noting anything else of interest. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting who was a member of your goose club." "Indeed! Whose, then?" I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "You have carte blanche." "Yes, it was twisted." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "I see many objections to any such theory." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "'Yes, sir.' shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "One of the highest in England." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and bearing upon the case." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be that you can jump it.' there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a fluttered off among the others. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other fluttered off among the others. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier know all about it," he snarled. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect that you wished to speak to me?' cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." and no precautions can guard against." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Stoke Moran?" said he. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Oh, the cause is excellent!" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know taking in every detail of the apartment. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the married her." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran of receipt of the work. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "In answer to an advertisement." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "'You doubt its value?' he asked. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is just ask you whether you had heard it.' "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them o'clock is it?" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for bill, which interests me deeply." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking there has been an enclosure here!" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the and your relations to her." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a but preventing her from injuring another. must be when I saw the door open.' intimate personal affairs in this public manner." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "It missed him, then?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over