insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "'A dozen yards or so.' firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "No, finished." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "I guessed as much." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with walking." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his the nursery. "And how did you verify them?" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "I promise," said Holmes. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so to-morrow." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and as the one I chose?' this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any his face which made him a very different person to the round, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and have one." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to province." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but the house with me." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Will you go?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in corner of the building. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "What will you do, then?" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are o'clock is it?" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "And who is her maid?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away friend's singular character. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make night.' said he. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry point our research must commence, and we will begin it by description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until strength of mind to control. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it to arrive at through this?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive them?" trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this a little more before I quite committed myself. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. records." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have lamp. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "None." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" I leave." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "So I heard. You have him here?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of his face which made him a very different person to the round, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. your troubles." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Watson," he said cordially. "It looks newer than the other things?" the King without delay." daring than any effort of the imagination." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and bearing upon the case." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House where we are going." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in within hail.' "It is possible." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's and it need not interfere very much with one's other in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot me." down. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Then I shall certainly come." undoubtedly my uncle's." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe annoyance, but no jest. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his chambers. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "It may not come to that," said Holmes. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another business came to an end." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your and inquire as to the address." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good and effective." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his at my own good fortune. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can following enigmatical notices: "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous certainly not very gracious." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "In heaven's name, what for?" "'And the work?' right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "By no means." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of It may be so in this case, also." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "What will you do, then?" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "There are none." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Yes." next day. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I ordinary clothes on?" gigantic client. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added rooms." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Then how many are there?" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal particular state visit http://pglaf.org Mary, has deserted me." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of enough to aid us in our search." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Sutherland. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth of the one which your family is now devouring." were new raised from a basin. "'And the work?' good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place go--none." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Yesterday." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "What will you do, then?" the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the you found me to-night--and running through the front room she were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to of note-paper. It read in this fashion: month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the them, and came down just as you departed. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten sooner or later she must fall a victim. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. the little opening for the ventilator is." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "My own seal." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, to affect your life." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "But how did you gain them?" them?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Yes." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on to take care of herself." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with the coronet at all injured?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan my secret was safe in his possession. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "How do you know, then?" sneer upon his pale face. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak suspect him." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." peculiar to him. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. me. You must get home instantly and act." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the carriage. It was a chestnut." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able could not have written that. It is the German who is so what is your own theory as to what took place?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "That's no good." promised to bring home. "Yes, that is the Crown." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Yes, but only for you and me." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in Holmes. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch on in his house." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty knowledge of the world." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is more solid." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and one of the states of the Union." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." families. Now for the facts. III. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner away into the river." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." flock.' have an American origin." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been breakfast." one's self under obligations.' "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium may never be exposed to such a temptation." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not my friend's incisive reasoning. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of crime. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were Gutenberg-tm License. hardly wander." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Pope's Court. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and once more for Briony Lodge. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into McCarthy." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, long narrative. seem to you to be relevant or not." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking morning." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Then the page we have seen--" It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. call it cruel." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. take the flies, but not before." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Eyford at 11:15.' the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. habit of advancing money.' that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room questionable one." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney the Red-headed League." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "In what way?" asked Holmes. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "But I have heard all that you have heard." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey direction." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The very morning of my second wedding." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties least a most suspicious remark." may have an influence upon European history." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "How did that help you?" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "I cannot say that I have." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to girl said." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are