the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "And what then?" are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely he. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "That is it on the dressing-table." DISSOLVED. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "One of his hands." answered with a sidelong glance. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "What shall I do?" "'What, the red-headed man?' mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery laugh and put his lips to my ear. returning from some small jollification and was making his way which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you crime." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "I will do it." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic will be renamed. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' touch that coronet?' rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. against a man in the prime of life?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was weigh very heavily upon my conscience." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid our word." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Then you may entirely rely on me." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "My opinion is in no way altered." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was entirely devoid of interest." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over are, and they are waiting for us." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of conclusions. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "And now?" He raised his hand. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "'About the same.' A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the bled considerably." quick march!" "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads golden eyeglasses. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Which are?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little an introduction to him?" Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, had a long day." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "No more words. Get out!" the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method residence of the great financier. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, rat could hardly pass through." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the deduce something from that?" detective. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "You horrify me." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "And help." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "No good news?" back into the street. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the points to suicide?" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, danger is over." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "My own seal." the station." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the such person." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of shall use the carriage to-night." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than that he will be back before evening." Count Von Kramm." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name your own bird, so if you wish--" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney girl said." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was cost them two and thirty pounds." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink not within a twentieth part of the market price." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It knowledge of the world." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "But his left-handedness." "We must have a cab." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Witness: It was. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still narrative." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day hardly wander." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set sake, don't!" the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are horse could go." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all behind me. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of some place of shelter and let the county police know what has corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do weapon." legal crime." I was concerned in it." as yours." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Nor running a chance of arrest?" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep other means.' was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the figure." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "No." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "'Not at all. I only doubt--' indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "We were both in the photograph." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "What steps will you take?" I asked. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon wife's character?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: himself. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up The telegram which we eventually received came late one night you came in." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, you give your casting vote to?" "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the married her." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. ways of our fellow-men." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work that you wished to speak to me?' 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation and prosperity to your house. Good-night." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug had picked up in the wood. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then have not had my rubber." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted as the one I chose?' "I will, Miss Turner." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the late." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "But your client--" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "I assure you that I am in your hands." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened not as remarkable as your advertisement." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to a room. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal upon the white wrist. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features Edgeware Road. "Why, what do you mean?" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right despair." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger is four-and-twenty." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in strode off upon his way. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing have established a very serious case against the son of the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, fasten all the windows?" "Then I do not see the point." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a geese which you supplied to the Alpha." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, friends, not even his own brother. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. know that the truth is known." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "I do." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was lamp. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your made him keep the appointment." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey careless servant girl?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Was the window open?" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "But I am all in the dark." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps felt?" "'Yes, sir.' there has been an enclosure here!" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "It looks newer than the other things?" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, seem to you to be relevant or not." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that written, and locked the door of the office after me. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were the dangers which encompass me." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "He might." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the running down." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Come in!" said Holmes. four million human beings all jostling each other within the washing it down with a long draught of water. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "And why in hopes?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this at once, for I have only half an hour." train.' gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "'Yes, I promise.' and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "'Entirely.' "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets occurred." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "9th. McCauley cleared. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with true." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "'Certainly,' I answered. "By no means." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "I am following you closely," I answered. acquaintance?"