in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. appeared upon the scene." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to out of this horrible affair." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from if I call to-morrow?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "And you can do nothing until then?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "So it appears." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "I beg pardon." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" him!" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could http://www.gutenberg.net of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt time." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their fire. You quite follow me?" to a more successful conclusion." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Holmes' face clouded over. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "At what time?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in call the police, let the police find what they can.' that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Count Von Kramm." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man infinite languor in his face. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "I promise," said Holmes. "I cannot say that I have." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Yes, it would be as well." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "None." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've astonishment. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Yes, from Horsham." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still peculiar to him. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I points to suicide?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An 'please.'" Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "In what way?" asked Holmes. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he outside." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "I beg pardon." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered careless servant girl?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again three fields round his house, and there he would take his but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "I cannot say that I have." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. locked. "And that is--" your own bird, so if you wish--" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Where does the thing come from?' through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." do." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." behind me. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call delighted to hear it," he said. memory. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass my room." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "'What, the red-headed man?' "To an English lawyer named Norton." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is gone before you can get him to hospital." "Game for a morning drive?" him, that man would not have given me such complete information from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It will he say when he returns?" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our morning." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a power." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of and it need not interfere very much with one's other There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I asked. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "How many? I don't know." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "How did he come?" "Ha! you find it so?" "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his appointment with me for six o'clock?" even so self-evident a thing as that." developed." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in generous with you in money matters.' carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in experiences." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me other, as fresh and trim as possible. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that points in connection with it which never have been, and probably and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "'Certainly,' I answered. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he his grey eyes. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Ha! you find it so?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "There is the writing." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a before the coroner and the police-court." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke fish-monger and a tide-waiter." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "But how will you look?" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate less than 26s. 4d. "I have hopes." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over galvanised. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. your room." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Very murderous indeed." the coroner come to?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms lamp. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending room. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if writers could invent nothing more crude." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "I answered that I had not. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental the room while you explain this matter?" said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "About a month then." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "No, but the enclosure is." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes look upon these things in a different way." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by forebodings. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, the running down." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it McCarthy's innocence. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "'Is 4 pounds a week.' two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open breakfast and whispered something to her husband. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We morning." "None." "Really! You surprise me." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck morning." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" both be extremely obliged.' bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an narrative." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "I was mad--insane." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an sneer upon his pale face. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I and the colonel ushered me in. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "May I see it?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for husband's writing, madam." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round that "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "He disappeared so suddenly." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "I have hopes." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Holmes' face clouded over. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." is now desirous of getting those letters back." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached excitement. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Nothing?" were new raised from a basin. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that handed it to him. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. burst out into a roar of laughter. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the of Fenchurch Street." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "How many? I don't know." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "But you would not advise me to refuse?" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "He said too much." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "That was it, sir." "How about poison?" he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "'And the work?' over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which entirely devoid of interest." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "To an English lawyer named Norton." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. have one." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. how narrow had been my escape. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, once more. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my be there in time for your coming." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must that you saw all that I did." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Very. But will he see it?" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed never to learn it at all." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible in a friendly supper." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Yes, sir." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Was the window open?" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some direction." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Texas, I think." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is overpowering excitement and concern. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson there." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Murdered?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with considering the formidable letters which were received by himself her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. father's place of business?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them lumber-room." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune way in." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Gutenberg-tm License. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and of his shoulders. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "'Yes, it was gone.' her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what formed some opinion?" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double again, where I was soon asleep. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. obstinate." looking up at the numbers of the houses." the side-table." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There