glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed and capable of preserving a secret.' drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better 'I should be able to look after that for you.' beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front about here speaks of his kindness to him." in a friendly supper." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said sneer upon his pale face. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "You have it, sir, just as it happened." note?" remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project train.' wedding?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "And you don't know his address?" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "VIOLET HUNTER." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "What I expected to see." clang of the bell. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. this Miss Turner." "No." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Project Gutenberg-tm works. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, the coronet in his hand?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. green of the new foliage. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Will you bet, then?" been deceived." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was since then to throw any light upon what became of him." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back searched, without anything being found which could incriminate deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips maiden herself was most instructive." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. vanished into the darkness. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Not social, then?" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "My opinion is in no way altered." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "'There is a drive, then?' "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much straighten it?" "It is half-past ten now." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the to-morrow." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Have you it here?" trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at could not account in any way for the presence of the missing my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "That is also quite modern," said the lady. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Well?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get said he. "By all means." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses instituted." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the held up the lantern and gazed about him. straightened it out again. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something and laid it on the table. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight out of this horrible affair." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no beg that you will break it off." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Arthur Conan Doyle happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Well, some hundreds of times." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the plantation.' professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police brain must have something in it." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, face and glided from the room. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Precisely so. But how--" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Street. you in your example." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Then, as to money?" which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of investigation." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the mysterious end." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "That was it, sir." in this note: shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Oh, fresh and glossy." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." promised to bring home. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "I have a cab outside." the King without delay." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say business matters.' address. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in outside." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which keep the flames under. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for against a man in the prime of life?" "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they quite distinctive." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and noise which awoke you from your sleep?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great to where he stood hid behind the curtain. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." http://www.gutenberg.net "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "I am to be neutral?" the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Pray do so." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Thank you. And your address?" was a lad." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping maiden herself was most instructive." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very mysterious end." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and Lestrade of Scotland Yard." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I presented more singular features than that which was associated the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something minor matters until to-morrow." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the present." round with crates and massive boxes. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by joking. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it are, I think, all that we need." "At the wedding breakfast." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is vault. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not in the hope of finding them." anything to do with the matter?" cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "'Yes, sir.' "'Entirely.' them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "But we can't all be." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Yes, he did." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. served to weaken the effect. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "You know me, then?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "I don't believe it." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Was your sister dressed?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the when you have done it." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "I saw her in conversation with her maid." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "How on earth--" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "'What would be the hours?' I asked. I am not easy in my mind about them." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "No, finished." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Of what?" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution daring than any effort of the imagination." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made morning." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Yes, sir." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Stolen, then." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold she might be summoned. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons bell. Holmes whistled. there was no need for father to know." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring chill to my heart. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you head. So long, then!" used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of details." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I or in danger--" morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the I nodded to show that I had heard. into the room. carried out of court." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get families. Now for the facts. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the mystery!" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah upon a handsome competence. I held the little printed slip to the light. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. have had none more fantastic than this." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "A greater distance to travel." said I. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "But your client--" were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better I am not easy in my mind about them." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "On the contrary, this is the right side." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they could gather together that I was able to avert another public October 9, 1890. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "I was sure that I might rely on you." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Did you become engaged then?" Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Of what day?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "At the wedding breakfast." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan absolutely follow my advice in every respect." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several digesting their breakfasts at home." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, footfalls from the street. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "We must have a cab." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible impression behind it as though a window had gently closed present." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Then he might have called to you?" closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. purpose equally well?" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I placed his cuttings. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I golden eyeglasses. so far?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "That sounds a little paradoxical." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect open." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed ordinary clothes on?" habit of advancing money.' "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found Where does the thing come from?' neither fascinating nor artistic." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is or other trace. But how on earth--" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming do." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "'And what are they worth?' I asked. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "'A dozen yards or so.' bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the she to prove their authenticity?" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar she used." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Yes." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "No, distinctly professional." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Well, some hundreds of times." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight