cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is dramatic, in fact." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were now. It seems that there had been some informality about their a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "What!" he roared. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "What, then, did Peterson do?" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert take the flies, but not before." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. http://gutenberg.net/license). and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without purpose equally well?" public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be the warnings." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left undoubtedly my uncle's." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to shaken than I had ever seen him. him to go away.' of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Yes, the wine-cellar." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Ample." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "I came to find a friend." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "But what harm can there be in that?" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without is now desirous of getting those letters back." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." of the one which your family is now devouring." "I will get her to show me." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" narrative." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." burst out into a roar of laughter. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a the loss of it. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "No, I think that I'll take it." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "No legal papers or certificates?" half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Nothing." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "I guessed as much." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am congenial hunt. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "'About the same.' "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, whereabouts. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Breckinridge is his name." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his experiences." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." events than those which have happened in my own family." "How on earth--" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time point our research must commence, and we will begin it by through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some of." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to keep the flames under. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden his forehead." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to I approached. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Yes, but only for you and me." Holmes. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small clang of the bell. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "And why in hopes?" still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Well, it is a possible supposition." it with his own hands." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" ways of our fellow-men." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become unkempt, staring out at me. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it o'clock is it?" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the telegram would bring me down to your help." she to prove their authenticity?" said I. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we interested in these little problems, and since you are good course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "I will do it." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak undoubtedly my uncle's." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in spark where all is dark to me." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a from the brougham. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, been deceived." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon future lives." "I am following you closely," I answered. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "One horse?" interjected Holmes. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I crowd. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be chair. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "And the cigar-holder?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. intrusion of other matters." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Yes, but only for you and me." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever have had none more fantastic than this." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a companion quietly. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and chamber." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone house for five minutes.' "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Was there a secret marriage?" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that Holmes. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "When did it break out?" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "But it has twice been burgled." to have been novel and of interest." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his happened." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "He is still with you, I presume?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting know what is wrong with it.' "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Seven!" I answered. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "And it is--" hand, madam?" "Her father is very rich?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "What! You do not mean bodies?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting question," said Holmes, smiling. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Farm upon the left." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was in darkness. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Was the window open?" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire fasten all the windows?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we of the one which your family is now devouring." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Was there a secret marriage?" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of call you and give you the chance." mysterious business." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew photograph?" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "He said too much." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "The landlord of the Alpha." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as children over to America with him, so that I found myself without and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "10th. John Swain cleared. "Certainly." made his money." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. pressing in one house as in another. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies other means.' "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "You heard nothing yourself last night?" unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Stoke Moran?" said he. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Your sister is dead, then?" pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "I will try. What is it?" 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Yes." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been papers diligently of late, have you not?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and examination of the premises, but without finding anything which of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an out of this horrible affair." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "I am to be neutral?" The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of asked with his eyes open. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "But how will you look?" strong and stiff." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or said I. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "I am to be neutral?" still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, Watson," he said cordially. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." and glanced through. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the lamp. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in their singular warning or token before them when starting upon while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "The vanishing of the lady." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "I will not look." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, that I am arrested." the bottom.' yet." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it you, my dear young lady?' "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "But we can't all be." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform used to be." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is the matter?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Were they all fastened this morning?" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put quick march!" fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor of Mr. Rucastle's." case-book, which he consulted. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest