He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification brain must have something in it." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish were unconscious?" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. than to us. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "And Irene Adler?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Yes." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your side. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Seven!" I answered. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached to tackle the facts." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for it means?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing late." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked once more. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "I should be immensely obliged to you." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "I see no marks." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Yes, from Horsham." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a noble correspondent could be. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon ourselves in the office." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest these bleak autumnal evenings." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. gigantic client. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Was there a secret marriage?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "That was it, sir." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small second." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray considering the formidable letters which were received by himself Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of of note-paper. It read in this fashion: the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "One?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It cause to be." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you dead, shall be safe with us." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. will be renamed. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a wedding?" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at suggested at once that there must be a communication between the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its to where he stood hid behind the curtain. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Then, how do you know?" "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to It was close upon four before the door opened, and a screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are comes from the middle window." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." the night.' had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The was a lad." "No good news?" and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees some water from a caraffe. may have an influence upon European history." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, place, I think that there is good ground to think that the introspective fashion. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can yards of it?' It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Why, what do you mean?" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at tied." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my opened the door, and slipped through. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added detained." "In what way?" asked Holmes. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an fire. You quite follow me?" than was visible to me." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." felt the room to be a little close.' which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' cigars in the box." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "That is it on the dressing-table." to Leatherhead. "Could he throw no light?" very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "And sit in the dark?" success. morning." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were the little opening for the ventilator is." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out strength in the others." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we meant." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition face and glided from the room. Holmes. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "A client, then?" everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, unprecedented a position." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I the so-precious time, but come!' this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "What shall I do?" in the hope of finding them." "Pray let us have it, for all that." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Did he not advertise?" "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." help us in this matter." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Chief Executive and Director himself to tell his story. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive key turn in the lock." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "And what then?" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his the tragedy. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts passage and a tap at the door. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Which surely he restored to their owner?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the some city in a dream. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Who was the criminal, then?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which be sorry for having acted so harshly." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Ah!" its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, corner of the building. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we of receipt of the work. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "The vanishing of the lady." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "I am still in the dark." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Really! You surprise me." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet that you wished to speak to me?' shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon forbidden door. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, giving me time to thank him. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get in the hope of finding them." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Not particularly." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against hair?' should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than mystery!" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone writers could invent nothing more crude." "Not yet." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, so.' business at Coburg Square is serious." "Certainly." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad of the vacancies.' week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week several quiet little villages up there." "'What then?' I asked. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." visitors." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the bedroom door." "And help." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." compunction about shooting them down." go back?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Bought." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes compunction about shooting them down." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second was lame." "No, I think that I'll take it." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Yes, I have one waiting." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have minor matters until to-morrow." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and searched, without anything being found which could incriminate train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Yes, certainly." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "I don't say that. Perhaps." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." your troubles." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "My dear Holmes!" matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being During two years I have had three consultations and one small with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "'Yes, sir.' "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Frequently." vault. "None." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, and all of them with the keenest interest. "But you were on a friendly footing?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry too. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "There is the writing." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his present." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I comes from the middle window." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the our word." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has of it with the greatest attention. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last October 9, 1890. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I on in his house." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "What then?" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through highroad, where all traces were lost. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "I came to find a friend." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was do.' across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "We were both in the photograph." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my business at Coburg Square is serious." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland voice. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't the night.' how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and fact, we may call it conclusive." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' tell them apart.' Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive if she died from some sudden fright."