"It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really someone who had been in Australia." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "What are they?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." disappearance of the bride.'" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "In answer to an advertisement." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his this as likely?" there were one or two details which were new to me. But the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with young Openshaw's." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of room?" Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with should be taken.' "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination digesting their breakfasts at home." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, garden below. this Miss Turner." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Why? What do you mean?" "It was." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a like gravel from a pit.' down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. case before our client came into the room." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, new duties?' of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "The knees of his trousers." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened villagers almost as much as their master. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "10th. John Swain cleared. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." detective. comes from the middle window." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." or other trace. But how on earth--" coroner's jury." Leadenhall Street--and--" ready to-morrow?' photograph?" the warnings." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the as yours." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to is a common subject for conversation. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I business matters.' "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She to-night?" I asked. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and in the hope of finding them." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." our word." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied fatally injured? is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "I am all attention, madam." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of past. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Yes, from Horsham." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, strong and stiff." upon the sideboard." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. there is a decided draught." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. eavesdroppers?' Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of in him." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Deserted you?" upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. been deceived." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Awake, Watson?" he asked. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am exactly what you advise." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an over here." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to papers on the sundial.'" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him shadow pass over his face as I spoke. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely October 9, 1890. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. go from here to the Strand." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have situation." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to she has been waylaid. There has been no result." client, rising. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was side. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Sholtos." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "I am still in the dark." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, disappearance of the bride.'" that I can to serve you." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Never to return." noble correspondent could be. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, second window is the one that I jumped from." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called the loss of it. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the figure." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His will be renamed. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as John Swain, of St. Augustine. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the tapping his fingers upon the table. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, detained." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the mystery." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. and inquire as to the address." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, writing, and yet I know it well." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Nothing." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Thank you. Pray proceed." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his retorted upon me, and I on you." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "None." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in even of instruction." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able you in your example." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how yourselves in at night?" "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of in a very precise fashion." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw thought that she would have been so carried away." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Young McCarthy must be got off, however." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Sutherland?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is my little problems." "Not I." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, narrative." too. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon hair?' pierced for earrings?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing the one as in the other." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was bare slabs of marble. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." was shining brightly. strode off upon his way. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the correct than the official force." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "What! You do not mean bodies?" black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the allusion to a rat. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases never to learn it at all." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point written, and locked the door of the office after me. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing of a light. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "BALLARAT." "It missed him, then?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds could not account in any way for the presence of the missing I was concerned in it." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of 'please.'" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Yes, that is the Crown." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "'Is 4 pounds a week.' clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise detective. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." of it with the greatest attention. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one status with the IRS. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, introspective fashion. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and was the fact that his father should, according to his account, engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Never." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, pressing in one house as in another. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from noting anything else of interest. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached asked. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very soul! here is her carriage at the door." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do purpose of examination. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. populous neighbourhood." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last about. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "In San Francisco, a year ago." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "So I am. Very much so." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut me where it went to?" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly easy-going way." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in the roots. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each wanted for ourselves." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw of the one which your family is now devouring." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have villagers almost as much as their master. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "His face fell immediately. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and a little more before I quite committed myself. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life the ceiling. past. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A that before taking the final step I should like to submit the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed figure." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to seem to you to be relevant or not." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our