for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "How did that help you?" one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and hands. the running down." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. to-morrow." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he bill, which interests me deeply." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Do you go out much in society?" "'Certainly not. But why?' as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had outside." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my had picked up in the wood. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "How did you deduce the select?" enter Dr. Roylott's room." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full the very morning of the wedding." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him triumphant cloud from his cigarette. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a views." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have in your London, you will know that the office of the company is was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to of the one which your family is now devouring." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "You are certainly joking, Holmes." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would nothing with him." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" putting in the horse. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his mysterious end." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "And I to find an enemy." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Then, as to money?" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "It is possible." papers must be those that are destroyed.' undoubtedly my uncle's." "Stolen, then." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of away in different directions, and I went off to make my own thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." tied." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you wife's character?" relief. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a to-night?" I asked. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "'Certainly not. But why?' dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a like gravel from a pit.' of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "We were both in the photograph." have had none more fantastic than this." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." went to the Alpha were town bred." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg like that before?" Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that right! Sit down and let us talk it over." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through his face. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of silent! Oh, he will be silent!' particular state visit http://pglaf.org "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "I see many objections to any such theory." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "He might." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "The best possible." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." I. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house him." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the such person." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Why did you pick him?" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Well, it is a possible supposition." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few my little problems." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have putting in the horse. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings you." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Nothing?" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Yes, only one." and the church but not where the lady lived." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." keep the flames under. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "I should like to see him very much." anything to do with the matter?" much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "No good news?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "My Mary? Impossible!" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "What have you to say now?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "It was." heavy and sharp instrument." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "My photograph." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. shoulder. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a society." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a and I shall be with you presently." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried to have that photograph." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, been shamefully used." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when not fit the lock." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Nothing." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "No, distinctly professional." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who your only hope of safety." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what to change my dress. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless occupations.' madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and because she had spent so short a time in this country that she temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "But how?" "Precisely." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. could gather together that I was able to avert another public the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the knowledge of the world." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Yes, all." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Then, how do you know?" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "None. Neville wrote those words." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. then?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "And when will you call?" the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself the night.' and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Will you go?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of over here." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "And leave your case unfinished?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Where is it, then?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "And that is--" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Yes." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's tightly behind him. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It appeal." than was visible to me." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than will take you up to see the machine.' see me here to avoid scandal." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal them, and came down just as you departed. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into works. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how we went to search for him, face downward in a little should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of matter." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Why serious?" "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the case before our client came into the room." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." particular state visit http://pglaf.org by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop I held the little printed slip to the light. "It is no ordinary one." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" over with notes and figures. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Miss Holder?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "But how?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "A greater distance to travel." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and was a perfect sample of the class. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out may never be exposed to such a temptation." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "I am armed." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our think that he is innocent?" "What is it?" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Get out!" said he. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and morning." "What is it?" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was bonnet, and went out." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "I know where it is." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody question," said Holmes, smiling. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long of the efforts of the United States government and of the better ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him business?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Was she in good spirits?" my special province." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded felt the room to be a little close.' opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home quickly through a disagreeable task. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to business?" "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time the matter." "And how?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert come either from the window or the door. My attention was and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Holmes, the busybody!" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where foresight and the moral retrogression?" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her and no precautions can guard against." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time relation between them, and what the object of his repeated always that they were such commands as a lady might with four million human beings all jostling each other within the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. What do you deduce from it?" with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "I beg pardon." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes was a lad." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about