at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round said I. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced you?' drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "It may not come to that," said Holmes. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. in my life." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." kindly on the shoulder. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER knowledge of the world." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Not him." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from subject to the trademark license, especially commercial in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was and capable of preserving a secret.' Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have experiences." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he you give your casting vote to?" danger is over." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My hard-headed British jury." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "He disappeared so suddenly." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by your own bird, so if you wish--" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." lost nothing by them." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to will be renamed. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "And sit in the dark?" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "No." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "But the mystery?" row." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on other lovers by making love himself." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out nights." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after strode off upon his way. "No. What a strange idea!" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" your room." hair?' other, as fresh and trim as possible. "It was." clanging. "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Breckinridge is his name." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in when your master had gone out." spark where all is dark to me." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Then you may be so with me." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in more terrible than the truth. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "No, finished." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "No legal papers or certificates?" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that then?" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "You heard nothing yourself last night?" a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. definite end. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely back into the street. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own quickly through a disagreeable task. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Yes." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he late!' "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" was keenly on my guard against him. "What is it, then--a fire?" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend his eyes and forehead. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my go back?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the despaired of." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. made him keep the appointment." "I have a cab outside." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Will you bet, then?" geese which you supplied to the Alpha." question. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "So I have heard." "Were they all fastened this morning?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. could not have written that. It is the German who is so "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "To ruin me." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss already referred to. "When did she vanish, then?" fait accompli?" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a appointment with me for six o'clock?" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "In the cells." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "But you have hopes?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Was there a secret marriage?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must opened the door, and slipped through. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "What do you mean?" road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at Countess of Morcar's?" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which the room while you explain this matter?" for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready must compliment you." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "What then?" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded morning." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress you came in." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "By all means." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Well, some hundreds of times." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, and shall probably return to London by the evening train." existence." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the colour had been driven from his face. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one you." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "But how?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old if I call to-morrow?" play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "How did he come?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "No." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "It was an hour's good drive." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson think, you have already met." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very invisible to me," I remarked. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter keep the flames under. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months at my own good fortune. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning bird I ate is country bred." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "No." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Yes, there are nearly always some there." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We forbidden door. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Why did you beat the pavement?" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "'You doubt its value?' he asked. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast prove to be little relation between the different incidents of From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite go from here to the Strand." "I was mad--insane." "'I am sure that I do not know.' "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his nothing with him." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her you?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Yes." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how himself to hunt down. chambers. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all begun to whiten, even as mine has." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when populous neighbourhood." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future shall not find me ungrateful." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as matter." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "'What then?' I asked. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day opportunities to fix the problem. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." been deceived." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "'Most admirably.' that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "But you have hopes?" This is what he says: the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "A client, then?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to closely." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and dates and names. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until security.' "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had some mystery and the punishment of some crime." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear yards of it?' bachelor.' became a certainty. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Yes." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I think that it is very probable." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to be best to do. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "She told me to ask you." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, DISSOLVED. you do it in twenty minutes!' "Where did you address your letters, then?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the returned to France?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." but preventing her from injuring another. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman test if we have an answer to our advertisement." skylight. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile sufficient punishment." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "What have you done?" asked Holmes. taking in every detail of the apartment. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Will you bet, then?" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "That is possible." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Pray let us have it, for all that." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Watson," he said cordially. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of this Miss Turner." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread newspaper selections." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed and wait." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Look there!" said he. "But you were on a friendly footing?" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for the coronet in his hand?" himself in a perplexing position. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." himself to tell his story. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward minor matters until to-morrow." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his it means?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent