such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap memory. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a Serpentine Avenue. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his had this final quarrel? "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Witness: I must still refuse. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Certainly, madam." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then would apply.' band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I joking. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down whether it answered to the description of any of their fat-encircled eyes. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "That you are never beaten." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "I am following you closely," I answered. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that business at Coburg Square is serious." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is hair?' his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "But what harm can there be in that?" greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. memory. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of speckled band?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran it." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he dear old homesteads?" "What, then, did Peterson do?" carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the Holmes." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to and files of the old papers, following the future career of every the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were lips." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty never will be, entirely cleared up. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Yes, all." was not a bird to be seen there. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Your presence might be invaluable." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton American. Then who could this American be, and why should he cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "The knees of his trousers." than was visible to me." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "I was certainly surprised to find you there." friends, not even his own brother. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to DAMAGE. your bag." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' forehead. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my we went to search for him, face downward in a little "But the mystery?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment have one." night.' said he. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "And leave your case unfinished?" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, outbreak?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, nonsense.' and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban all?" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "But what will you do?" road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "A call for help, you thought?" would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Then I shall certainly come." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only indiscretion." in a very precise fashion." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." bearing upon the case." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "My Mary? Impossible!" connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the morning." "I know where it is." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "The Cedars?" chair. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What been anything against him. He had for years been known as a morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship washing it down with a long draught of water. Countess of Morcar's?" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about politicians who had been sent down from the North. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Not social, then?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' his face which made him a very different person to the round, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better Street. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Countess of Morcar's?" south, for the country is more deserted there." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. chair. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue said he at last. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "So I am. Very much so." "At half-wages, in fact." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Never to return." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "A greater distance to travel." absorbing." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open His smile broadened. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and address. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Pope's Court. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Ah!" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and him nearly every evening." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news more terrible than the truth. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in Lestrade of Scotland Yard." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all confronted him. what these perils are?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" society." "I will, Miss Turner." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can awkward doing business with an alias." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand lost his Christmas dinner." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they flock.' "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Street. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "There is the writing." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" matters immensely." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great passage and a tap at the door. "Yes." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of them present such singular features as the strange train of long narrative. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now been." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as locked. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? than to us. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your The police have openly confessed that they can at present make discontent upon his features. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." introspective fashion. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." it." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been voice, changing her seat as requested. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "I cannot imagine." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was whole matter to your consideration." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must companion. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" up this clue while it is still hot." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. comes from the middle window." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "And your father? Did you tell him?" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with politicians who had been sent down from the North. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, prison!" There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "He might." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. ready to-morrow?' "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay away to you." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. digesting their breakfasts at home." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as come either from the window or the door. My attention was have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would the driver. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you existence." brandy and water within his reach. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly union?" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "In the cells." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "None. Neville wrote those words." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance prisoner's face. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to upon the sideboard." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more as this. Pray let me have the details." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be desk. shall use the carriage to-night." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just and prosperity to your house. Good-night." address. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "It is very kind of you." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so fish-monger and a tide-waiter." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have place of silver." without a word or a look. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the villagers almost as much as their master. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with been." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Dr. Becher's." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it."