"Entirely." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "And it is--" up this clue while it is still hot." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is approach us with offers to donate. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the gives a meaning to it." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking silent! Oh, he will be silent!' he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in gone. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than and that he would see to anything that turned up. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he husband's writing, madam." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "It is very kind of you." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "He said too much." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately appeared upon the scene." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Never." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray been shamefully used." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was said he, "my real name is James Ryder." attention." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he questionable one." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your acted in my house last night?" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it me have 200 pounds?' of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two have not had my rubber." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "The vanishing of the lady." woman." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out this unhappy family?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I at once, for I have only half an hour." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "How long did she speak to this Alice?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Perfectly so." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man trifles." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first carriage. It was a chestnut." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, companion. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. nights." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter and glanced through. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared to surprise her." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice relief. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has acted in my house last night?" all?" it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I at once, for I have only half an hour." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or occupations.' the inner apartment." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and in my life." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some new acquaintance to Baker Street. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Stolen, then." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" off." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to any." "Well, it is a possible supposition." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "But it has twice been burgled." "Never to return." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "So I have heard." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become helping a boy to put up the shutters. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Was he the only applicant?" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At your Highness to the police-station?" thought that she would have been so carried away." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and outside. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "You did not overhear what they said?" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "And what did you learn from him?" on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable one or two very singular points about this room. For example, of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "I have solved it." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in people in all walks of life. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf that the gas is not laid on in his house?" leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry that the gas is not laid on in his house?" might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Yes, at the mines." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent power." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp looking up at the numbers of the houses." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "And when will you call?" disappearance of these gems?" populous neighbourhood." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest one which it was hard to resist. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, wedding?" gone. jewels which you have stolen?' "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman outbreak?" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to meant." and put his glass in his pocket. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you foresight and the moral retrogression?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found over here." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we most interesting one." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "And sit in the dark?" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you thin legs towards the fire. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan most interesting one." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before gone before you can get him to hospital." where we are going." retorted upon me, and I on you." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's miles off. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." again on its way. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring highly," said Holmes. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough desk. tell them apart.' money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in one of them." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, photograph?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "What can you not understand?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. bearing upon the case." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where or in danger--" "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and you do it in twenty minutes!' so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "I fear not." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he shoulder. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "My private note-paper." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Certainly." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "No. His orders were to stay in the house." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the child." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the disturbance in my wife." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend it means?" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Project Gutenberg-tm works. "And leave your case unfinished?" assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "What can it mean?" I gasped. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that floor. later, upon the night of May 2nd." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent yet." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "But how?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which that you wished to speak to me?' searched, without anything being found which could incriminate help us in this matter." tapping his fingers upon the table. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Here?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. interests were the same as his." strength of mind to control. Project Gutenberg-tm works. purpose of examination. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "An accident, I presume?" entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was during that time.' place of silver." "I promise," said Holmes. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the south-west, I see." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it leave you to your papers for a little." who was a member of your goose club." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "That sounds a little paradoxical." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "I am to be neutral?" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt telegram would bring me down to your help." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "But she could not love him." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a you do it in twenty minutes!' that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Count Von Kramm." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "So I am. Very much so." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my over here." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running the ceiling. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in I leave."