week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. corner of the building. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Yes, all." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Eyford at 11:15.' he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the the stones. it with his own hands." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out Does that suggest anything?" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "What are they?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous it with his own hands." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. with some details as to your case." "And your mother is alive?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. against a man in the prime of life?" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have present." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Married! When?" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "And how in the world did you find them?" helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Eyford at 11:15.' overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you breakfast?" goes." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You good for you to do.' "You horrify me." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Seven!" I answered. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Where, indeed?" "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my your most interesting statement." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after felt?" shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are point our research must commence, and we will begin it by rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic feature." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "I came to find a friend." presume?" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Your presence might be invaluable." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was a few minutes he said that it would be all right. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind himself. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Nothing." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small to-night." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Watson," he said cordially. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic page at http://pglaf.org John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And been deceived." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his help us in this matter." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "My last client of the sort was a king." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "And I say east," said my patient. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, for the market.' attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "And what then?" all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "And who is her maid?" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "None. Neville wrote those words." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable problems help me to do so." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking who was a member of your goose club." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Then, how do you know?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "I guessed as much." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest and files of the old papers, following the future career of every abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "I would pay ten." manager. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "But what harm can there be in that?" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, III. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "In San Francisco, a year ago." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes unprofitable." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Yes, that is the Crown." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our and capable of preserving a secret.' large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "One?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That congenial hunt. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Not in a good cause." place no limit on the sum I may draw." rose-bushes. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Yes, it would be as well." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." promised to bring home. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of dates and names. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as your Highness to the police-station?" his grey eyes. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would companion. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary presume?" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by other means.' make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "'What, the red-headed man?' Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Nothing." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I yet." 11:15.' I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with promised to bring home. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts congenial hunt. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Arthur Conan Doyle the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies your sleep?' should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just an introduction to him?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his you?' family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days ill-usage at the hands of fortune. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" the driver. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "I fear not." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "'Where could I find him?' "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. may have an influence upon European history." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "You have carte blanche." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the whereabouts. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "What office?" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to you." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an bonnet, and went out." and the colonel ushered me in. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "You horrify me!" to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the will he say when he returns?" "It is a murder, then?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the true." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, easy-going way." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which the coronet in his hands?" "Which are?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at look dissatisfied." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be entirely lost his self-respect." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. into the bag, and made for the door. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely will not take me long to tell. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Where is it, then?" it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the annoyance, but no jest. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "It is possible." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the invisible to me," I remarked. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what villagers almost as much as their master. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had chambers. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view the very letters. But what is this written above them?' at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "But you have hopes?" straighten it?" the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been held up the lantern and gazed about him. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Your French gold?" the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a respectable self." of Fenchurch Street." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I derbies." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to to Leatherhead. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, me. You must get home instantly and act." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "The gentleman I describe." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to pictures, libraries, or plate. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "I cannot imagine." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid if only as a check to my own memory." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a written, and locked the door of the office after me. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they were unconscious?" ill-usage at the hands of fortune. miles off. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that she used." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman for the market.' "'Where to?' higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. against a man in the prime of life?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular the little opening for the ventilator is." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where sit on the left-hand side of the driver." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined bedroom door." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "She told me to ask you." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." papers on the sundial.'" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered means taking possession of that which another person has a prior Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in weighed down with some great anxiety. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with one's self under obligations.' day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back him and tried to hold him back. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense was keenly on my guard against him. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Who by?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment stepfather?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that a good hundred miles off by now." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project