it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were to tackle the facts." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it copied or distributed: "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a any little problem which you may submit to me." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Certainly, madam." "Yes." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' results." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Is he quiet?" of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "The murder was done with it." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty on in his house." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "The gentleman I describe." hair?' heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Yes, sir." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the spark where all is dark to me." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Yes." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything Project Gutenberg-tm works. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the better in every way that they should make their position a little receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "To an English lawyer named Norton." that upon an income of about 60 pounds." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety in darkness. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The that?' The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time nonsense.' "'Stolen!' he cried. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Again Holmes raved in the air. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing just called myself is not exactly my own." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such lids now and glanced across at his visitor. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just himself to hunt down. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And this man was intellectual?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and bearing upon the case." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which go--none." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left John Swain, of St. Augustine. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Ah, but I was recommended to you." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, key turn in the lock." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Holmes rather sternly. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Foundation will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the crime. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Then he might have called to you?" the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to there was no need for father to know." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, then?" "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" door?" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Who was the criminal, then?" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "By all means." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at vague figure huddled up in the darkness. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "I have seen the police." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what case before our client came into the room." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "But what harm can there be in that?" seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Oh, the cause is excellent!" on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed tension within him. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow more solid." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it of receipt of the work. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic awaited us upon the table. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from your co-operation." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my helping a boy to put up the shutters. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular made him keep the appointment." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "But how?" certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an said I. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an nice household for a young lady." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "'And the work?' served to weaken the effect. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every there was no need for father to know." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "What shall I do?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed said Mr. Holder. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "'Why that?' I asks. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Did you observe the colour?" the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to me where it went to?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Why, it's a dummy," said he. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how upon a handsome competence. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Stolen, then." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. very old mansion. events than those which have happened in my own family." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." business?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "The Cedars?" ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and from the brougham. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "What can you not understand?" and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. occurred." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Yes, but only for you and me." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "An enemy?" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during security.' all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Bought." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, way in." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." which was all perfectly true. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "It is to him that this trophy belongs." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Pope's Court. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may note?" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the constraint." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Then I do not see the point." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "'Where to?' would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "'Certainly,' I answered. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce whether it answered to the description of any of their here and I will read it to you: light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted to tell." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and completely overtopped every other consideration that we both should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "If so, much may have happened between." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you served to weaken the effect. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "How did you trace it, then?" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "And that is--" might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five sofa. This way, please!" salesman. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "I beg pardon." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Did your wife hear all this?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "But your client--" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and young Openshaw's." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in chamber." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly and inquire as to the address." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie to that open window." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it to tell." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "At the wedding breakfast." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Well." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure.