"Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, to that open window." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "It was." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. the ceiling. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Did you become engaged then?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind such attractions and accomplishments?' confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "On Monday." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "But you can know nothing of this?" with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. here and I will read it to you: lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in ashen face. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well the roots. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Certainly." his wife has ceased to love him." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'Why that?' I asks. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Yes." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend take the flies, but not before." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a in the port of London." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Which are?" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your British peeress.'" thirty. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away meant it for the best. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon main points of my analysis." "And your mother is alive?" to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Pope's Court. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while late." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had not come at once?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a the nursery. official police." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's this as likely?" wall." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, retorted upon me, and I on you." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his the King without delay." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked the King without delay." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Leadenhall Street--and--" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman States. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be matter over." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I any more." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Munro.' in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "I will do it." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Very truly yours, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional Holmes' thin, eager face. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, outbreak?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "But to whom?" "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Yes." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness which our visitor detailed to us. the very morning of the wedding." never to learn it at all." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "I have hopes." "How did he come?" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which to a light-house. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her fuss that is made over them." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss companion. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' country, and eventually married, without anyone having a result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will discontent upon his features. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "'And what are they worth?' I asked. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and shaken than I had ever seen him. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Dark enough and sinister enough." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, criminal. We have already had experience of such." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now village inn over there?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of round with crates and massive boxes. good for you to do.' sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. that "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of see me here to avoid scandal." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had will find little credit to be gained out of this case." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If my special province." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." little adventures." when you have done it." photograph?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" was a lad." some city in a dream. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. what is your own theory as to what took place?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him which was all perfectly true. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "What, then, did Peterson do?" beyond words. "Only as much as we can deduce." "Have you it here?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "No." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to case before our client came into the room." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I to talk it over. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of my little problems." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "'Is purely nominal.' tell them apart.' presented which may be striking and bizarre without being is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "You have carte blanche." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed and it need not interfere very much with one's other deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Yes." has little to do with my story." the loss of it. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" learned something! Where are the gems?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "I cannot tell." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred wife's character?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at which it had come upon my father." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's he. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a and that he would see to anything that turned up. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "You have the photograph?" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "I would give my fortune to have them back." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "No, my brougham is waiting." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with residence of the great financier. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these way in everything. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded to have been novel and of interest." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the spark where all is dark to me." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime any more." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this the morning and make my own way in the world.' advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Dirty?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "And I to find an enemy." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Well." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "What are they?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, that you wished to speak to me?' and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things highroad, where all traces were lost. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We to you." crime. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Eh? What was that?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for his face. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make placed his cuttings. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with The King stared at him in amazement. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Cross for the Continent." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We out of this horrible affair." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people quickly through a disagreeable task. pierced for earrings?" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste seem to you to be relevant or not." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "'Yes, sir.' "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came it." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "You are all wrong." dramatic, in fact." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, one else, I think." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, overpowering excitement and concern. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of once more to my work. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "I saw her in conversation with her maid." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as License. You must require such a user to return or breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "That is possible." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per might have a private word with us. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "How can you tell that?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm is," said he presently: of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the and looked back. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what grasp, he hurried from the room. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to not as remarkable as your advertisement." "And the cigar-holder?" the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at again before evening." recover the gem." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no brandy and water within his reach. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, upon an income of about 60 pounds." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark congenial hunt. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well bedroom door." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "But his lameness?" confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with