of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As address. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Do you know him?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "I would pay ten." sufficient punishment." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling thought that she would have been so carried away." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "What is it, then--a fire?" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "What!" he roared. "By no means." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Project Gutenberg-tm works. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The hand, madam?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled just called myself is not exactly my own." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "The knees of his trousers." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Yes." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "No, finished." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of will not take me long to tell. held up the lantern and gazed about him. "The gentleman I describe." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his weary and pale-looking. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, has little to do with my story." purpose of examination. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "What of the rat, then?" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to my friend's incisive reasoning. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been is entirely a question of barometric pressure." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to bed dies. Does not that strike you?" which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different was a lad." "Dr. Becher's." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, sit on the left-hand side of the driver." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of wall." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "We were both in the photograph." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as for the market.' three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally yards of it?' upon the sideboard." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, as this. Pray let me have the details." paper in the air. to take care of herself." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course nothing with him." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Quite so. She has her freedom." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "'It is locked up,' I answered. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a of them has the shutters up.' "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his fasten all the windows?" and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but considering the formidable letters which were received by himself hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." as he remarks, very much against the son." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair the morning and make my own way in the world.' should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send be.' King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a one else, I think." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders o'clock is it?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as soul! here is her carriage at the door." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of national property. I was determined that the law should have its many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "She showed me, as I told you she would." jewels which you have stolen?' the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." I have it here in my museum." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm clanging. trying to your nerves." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "You heard nothing yourself last night?" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Certainly, madam." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove cup of tea. humiliation." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "And how have you succeeded?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull matter over." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do interested in these little problems, and since you are good see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage shadow pass over his face as I spoke. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect have got?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so interest. They are important, you understand, without being and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot address. "Was there a secret marriage?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Dr. Becher's." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is touch that coronet?' hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into bled considerably." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have his eyes and forehead. Sutherland. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Then he might have called to you?" answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some call for it in person on Monday morning.' square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could absolutely follow my advice in every respect." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during been." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough allusion to a rat. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a waste of energy." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of conversation I have gathered that they have been married about your room." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in man. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the chance at all." "I say that I have solved it." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Did he not advertise?" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as just called myself is not exactly my own." were new raised from a basin. might help us?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Here?" precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the paper in the air. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "'And what salary do you ask?' "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "What shall I do?" slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "'Certainly not.' "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Married! When?" washing it down with a long draught of water. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Married! When?" cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I place no limit on the sum I may draw." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Why did you beat the pavement?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "No." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, business came to an end." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he as he remarks, very much against the son." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian you in yours." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Yes, from Horsham." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had that I may have something better before very many minutes are stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room is acting for the best. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my cheerful." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of questioning and rather startled gaze. amused." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until very old mansion. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "The vanishing of the lady." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "How do you know, then?" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to galvanised. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "'What, the red-headed man?' house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "So I have heard." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" chance at all." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "How do you know, then?" will he say when he returns?" anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Then how many are there?" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Won't it ring?" make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "And did you observe any change in her then?" roused himself from his reverie. unkempt, staring out at me. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, that you saw all that I did." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he of receipt of the work. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded address. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." works. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in companion. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still do.' quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Eyford." the King without delay." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of stepfather?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "It is possible." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove to his chemical studies. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but presented which may be striking and bizarre without being stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "I see many objections to any such theory." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of trifles." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "And why?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained companion. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon together. the stable lane now." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "I am following you closely," I answered. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us the King without delay." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "VIOLET HUNTER." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the next day. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "When did it break out?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Did your wife hear all this?" upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question