"Stoke Moran?" said he. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you several quiet little villages up there." the general public were present, then?" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "No, I am descending." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the with her." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "My dear Holmes!" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my started for the Temple to see my husband. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was front of the hall door has given its name to the place. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid together. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "May I see it?" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." indeed happy." at a side door. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Where did you address your letters, then?" The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly a very grave face. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you his forehead." Eyford." 1.F. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Nothing?" "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a frequently gained my first real insight into the character of which it had come upon my father." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you II. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers assist you in forming an opinion." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush and effective." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Nothing." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. approach us with offers to donate. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as was it brought him the coronet? about. "Bought." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger cheerful." once more. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Then, how do you know?" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he to a more successful conclusion." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Do you know him?" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to the little opening for the ventilator is." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise fluttered off among the others. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "You have it, sir, just as it happened." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently money should be paid at once.' "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, his cane at the bell-pull. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Very. But will he see it?" rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked tear off another piece?' and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, might help us?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "But how will you look?" enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "I shall most certainly do so." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" points to suicide?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Murdered?" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which carpenter." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to What do you deduce from it?" all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps towards the blaze. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This gbnewby@pglaf.org vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." emerged. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this do you make of it all?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "But I am all in the dark." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers crime." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar my secret was safe in his possession. You want to know what became of those geese?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "My stepfather's business papers." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers quick march!" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every passage and a tap at the door. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "You don't mind breaking the law?" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A shoulder. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Yes." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Who by?" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps grasp, he hurried from the room. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his interested in these little problems, and since you are good The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, joking. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for come either from the window or the door. My attention was very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "None." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Who by?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "'Not at all. I only doubt--' fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the gentleman's clothes. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' the nursery. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' for securing the situation." do.' vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can least a most suspicious remark." "Very truly yours, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a golden eyeglasses. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Yes, only one." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I remarked. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "'Which dealer's?' "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "What steps will you take?" I asked. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little the coroner come to?" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his over his head with a sweet womanly caress. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. had this final quarrel? only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "They are typewritten," I remarked. way in everything. fat-encircled eyes. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Yes, he did." October 9, 1890. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Oh, fresh and glossy." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with helping a boy to put up the shutters. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a I was concerned in it." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should his forehead." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You fasten all the windows?" "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." foresight and the moral retrogression?" forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "He said that you could solve anything." too. directors, with the result that you have seen." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. head. So long, then!" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where call the police, let the police find what they can.' therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss bearing upon the case." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in what do you think they found in the pockets?" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." horse could go." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, to tell." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed unprofitable." "'Oh, no.' "None." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an acquaintance?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute light and attacked it." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then me. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "How many? I don't know." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to singular points about the case. What did the police think of the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not directly by questioning you." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger least a fellow-countryman. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of like gravel from a pit.' The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Won't it ring?" him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. into the bag, and made for the door. father's young wife. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he Gutenberg-tm License. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Cross for the Continent." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "You were travelling in the States?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the I am not easy in my mind about them." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for to that open window." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help unprecedented a position." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "'I have heard so.' did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "And why?" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so cheerful." your co-operation." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the hand, madam?" "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Is he quiet?" "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Oh, the cause is excellent!" freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently carpenter."