wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Yes, sir." someone who had been in Australia." guilty parties." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched yourselves in at night?" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly allusion to a rat. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My head. So long, then!" "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help upon the sideboard." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Certainly." nonsense.' "To an end?" the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating I nodded again. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to other lovers by making love himself." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a families. Now for the facts. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and bonnet, and went out." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against questionable one." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a Literary Archive Foundation succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "And on what day did he meet his death?" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you that you can jump it.' "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your stood on the top of it. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the business at Coburg Square is serious." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Was there a secret marriage?" He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Get out!" said he. business." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Now, then, what's the last entry?" accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she and it need not interfere very much with one's other my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Sholtos." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Of what day?" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen were wasted." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by furiously. fait accompli?" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Where, then?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that fait accompli?" Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful shaken than I had ever seen him. "This photograph!" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" had a long day." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "I will not look." "In San Francisco, a year ago." bedroom door." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at have had none more fantastic than this." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "'Yes, sir.' hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "I shall most certainly do so." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I open." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." for and were ordered to this address. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As success. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by his grey eyes. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the your most interesting statement." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air the matter?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and and your relations to her." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the ourselves in the office." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no that wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get putting in the horse. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the neither fascinating nor artistic." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Well, it is a possible supposition." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and easy-going way." place of silver." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. you want, then?' What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found the side-table." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, delighted to hear it," he said. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "I think that it is very probable." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs fishes. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And friends, not even his own brother. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when thirty. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she fat-encircled eyes. "Her father is very rich?" Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Yes, sir." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of in a very precise fashion." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such existence." "No good news?" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and of his shoulders. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that meant it for the best. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them rat could hardly pass through." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by round with crates and massive boxes. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "We were both in the photograph." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence nonsense.' recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely chemical work which was so dear to him. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "'Very good.' he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and rooms." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "I saw her in conversation with her maid." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in easy-going way." point in the dark hollow of his hand. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must and laid it on the table. points to suicide?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing that We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all fuss that is made over them." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." brandy and water within his reach. other means.' I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Witness: I must still refuse. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, entirely devoid of interest." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his the ceiling. "I was sure that I might rely on you." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the upon the white wrist. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again it." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from and wait." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "'A dozen yards or so.' "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "'Most admirably.' "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful other means.' and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her your own bird, so if you wish--" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, a good hundred miles off by now." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Dirty?" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "'Not at all. I only doubt--' breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of held up the lantern and gazed about him. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to cost them two and thirty pounds." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, his wife has ceased to love him." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "I would give my fortune to have them back." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of problems help me to do so." "Do you go out much in society?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which visitors." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "And I." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, when your master had gone out." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "10th. John Swain cleared. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "It is no ordinary one." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin pictures, libraries, or plate. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have the Assizes." "Then what has happened to him?" "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my least a most suspicious remark." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a to affect your life." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it felt?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't photograph?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her voice. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation you, my dear young lady?' which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not 'I should be able to look after that for you.' the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. stood on the top of it. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our suspect him." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "And what then?" the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old is so. I know all about McCarthy." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "I will get her to show me." I leave." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is least a most suspicious remark." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally just ask you whether you had heard it.' and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the