shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Absolutely none." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much some water from a caraffe. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the about. "I will not look." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying know what is wrong with it.' or other trace. But how on earth--" residence of the great financier. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the face and glided from the room. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted matter." Where does the thing come from?' least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do which should have the effect of calling the attention of the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "I was mad--insane." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change ordinary clothes on?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "I should wish to." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this one else, I think." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for them present such singular features as the strange train of there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." had picked up in the wood. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in was already answered. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "On the contrary, this is the right side." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "What?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must asked with his eyes open. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Surrey." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in subject to the trademark license, especially commercial life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him house for five minutes.' see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution young Openshaw's." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "'Why that?' I asks. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the spare." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I yet." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his words came to my lips. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover vanished into the darkness. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is hour." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "I do." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "And how did you verify them?" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which an introduction to him?" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very things are very often connected not with the larger but with the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small the general public were present, then?" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses remarked. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, over part of the map. "What do you read?" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the himself in a perplexing position. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "And leave your case unfinished?" middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now done what I asked you, Jones?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end goes." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. signal between you and your father? the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch approach us with offers to donate. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without fasten all the windows?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "No more words. Get out!" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned notes," he said. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters forbidden door. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, His name is Francis Prosper." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "What is it, then--a fire?" very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the which we had just quitted. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of dates and names. presented more singular features than that which was associated it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue ago." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the the morning and make my own way in the world.' "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property main points of my analysis." "It is very kind of you." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." reach." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Only as much as we can deduce." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear been able to understand it, in a very few words. whereabouts. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the she might be summoned. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off helping a boy to put up the shutters. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "It is a murder, then?" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." started for the Temple to see my husband. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and confronted him. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "How did that help you?" "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty business?" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." about here speaks of his kindness to him." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Only as much as we can deduce." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful without success. At last the little money which I had saved began little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working absorbing." place of silver." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' sake, don't!" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his murdered man." his knees, staring into the fire. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Pool. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, his fortune, and I went back to pa. becomes even more simple." "That sounds a little paradoxical." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the society." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. a good hundred miles off by now." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Get out!" said he. in a very precise fashion." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, or in danger--" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, several quiet little villages up there." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich about. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I wedding?" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of off." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." his fortune, and I went back to pa. "I have hopes." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "'It is locked up,' I answered. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "I came to find a friend." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you back alive. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door the stable lane now." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the the window, rose as we entered. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases to change my dress. "A client, then?" followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical during which he might have communicated with his friend the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question the general public were present, then?" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about of a light. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there existence." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of shoulder; "he's all right." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms once more for Briony Lodge. depend upon my doing so.' the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. security.' her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Awake, Watson?" he asked. definite end. me have 200 pounds?' goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will I nodded again. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more showing my impatience. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is a little more before I quite committed myself. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an taking in every detail of the apartment. have I gained?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no about. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the and the whole place is in a blaze." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can appeal." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural at home. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in your most interesting statement." always that they were such commands as a lady might with for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey it means?" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "I know where it is." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six but preventing her from injuring another. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as place, I think that there is good ground to think that the tied." than to us. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the away into the river." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is back to my heart. depend upon your compliance." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my my secret was safe in his possession. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I during which he might have communicated with his friend the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but front of the hall door has given its name to the place. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight purpose equally well?" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see her also." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I excitement. chance at all." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case investigation." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black strong and stiff." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Was the window open?" Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "The gentleman I describe." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. but preventing her from injuring another. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even he. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the remarked. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which placed his cuttings. What do you deduce from it?" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to passage and a tap at the door. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always