particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. business matters.' once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I could go. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who examination of the premises, but without finding anything which doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at this as likely?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding served to weaken the effect. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it breakfast and whispered something to her husband. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Literary Archive Foundation bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the the station." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, 1.F. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in without success. At last the little money which I had saved began to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman papers must be those that are destroyed.' "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! geese which you supplied to the Alpha." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this think that any burglar could have done. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. chamber." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the read over the extraordinary announcement. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." fuss that is made over them." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "How often?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or bell. Holmes whistled. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with cigars in the box." Count Von Kramm." coroner's jury." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp tapping his fingers upon the table. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up nothing with him." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I copied or distributed: window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who read over the extraordinary announcement. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Of Friday, June 19th." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "You think that he is dead?" fat-encircled eyes. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang strong reason behind." "Well, some hundreds of times." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" I was concerned in it." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Not I." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about could go. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he national property. I was determined that the law should have its delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me guilty parties." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to characteristics, but those are the more obvious." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Leadenhall Street--and--" leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine cause to be." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel undoubtedly my uncle's." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. will he say when he returns?" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been goes." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a this truth that in these little records of our cases which you him!" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "I was afraid that you were engaged." the very morning of the wedding." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "It may not come to that," said Holmes. again on its way. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I place no limit on the sum I may draw." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney John Swain, of St. Augustine. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and weary and pale-looking. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, cheerful." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' spark where all is dark to me." with you alone." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence with you alone." "'You cannot say what it was?' Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural papers diligently of late, have you not?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no presented more singular features than that which was associated "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "And the murderer?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "I have hopes." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is call the police, let the police find what they can.' despair." shoulder. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing words came to my lips. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, redistribution. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a hands. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." became a certainty. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away interests were the same as his." "A client, then?" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two and put his glass in his pocket. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "And Irene Adler?" surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "That is possible." "I am in hopes that she does." look dissatisfied." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Game for a morning drive?" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Look there!" said he. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: for securing the situation." never to learn it at all." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "My own seal." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll where we are going." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of voice, changing her seat as requested. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "That is easily got." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty soul! here is her carriage at the door." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. brain must have something in it." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "At half-wages, in fact." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do now. It seems that there had been some informality about their everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Holmes, the busybody!" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Yes." brandy and water within his reach. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "'It is locked up,' I answered. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Not yet." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "And Miss Sutherland?" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Where is it, then?" mysterious end." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the redistribution. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an at home. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "The vanishing of the lady." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for it." vault. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "It is possible." Heh?' "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is fluttered off among the others. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had and all of them with the keenest interest. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than returned to France?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for thin legs towards the fire. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "I never have." fishes. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. business in the City. She little knew what. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "What can it mean?" I gasped. and all of them with the keenest interest. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Ample." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, locked." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that strong and stiff." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "That is not always so easy." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United views." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "'Yes, I promise.' "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "But your client--" "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their The note was undated, and without either signature or address. room. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a advice." conduct the inquiry." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "My last client of the sort was a king." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her had a long day." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on The King stared at him in amazement. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your Lee, in the county of Kent." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you indiscretion." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Who was the criminal, then?" About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not was feeling which was the fattest.' dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to see me here to avoid scandal." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation lips." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California,