"I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. himself to tell his story. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "I should be immensely obliged to you." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "It is very clear." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am been deceived." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a the devil!" on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. bears upon the case?" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for disappearance of these gems?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to investigation." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in details should find their way into the papers. Inspector to miss it." have an American origin." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural see a sister of mine apply for." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some undoubtedly my uncle's." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "The decline of his fortunes, then?" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming have had none more fantastic than this." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment our word." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow promised to bring home. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. galvanised. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "I should be immensely obliged to you." to-night?" I asked. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, pictures, libraries, or plate. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it breakfast." London for the present?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it tear off another piece?' "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as made his money." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." His smile broadened. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set straightened it out again. "And I to find an enemy." voice, changing her seat as requested. "Come in!" said he. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the you found me to-night--and running through the front room she the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "My dear Holmes!" the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite Arthur Conan Doyle telegram would bring me down to your help." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Gutenberg-tm License. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working presented which may be striking and bizarre without being some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring system of imprisonment?" thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, something of him before." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek least a fellow-countryman. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "What will you do, then?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one cup of tea. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Yes." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Whose house is it?" "How many? I don't know." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your investigation." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "May I see it?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for into the room. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which the child." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room bachelor.' aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Perfectly so." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' come either from the window or the door. My attention was may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." door?" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their you want, then?' future lives." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and maiden herself was most instructive." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at residence of the great financier. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her writers could invent nothing more crude." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "But what is it you wish?" characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow direction." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you empty. disturbance in my wife." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "How about poison?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Where to?" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and you do it in twenty minutes!' "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the of Mr. Rucastle's." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in the window, rose as we entered. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you relation between them, and what the object of his repeated there has been an enclosure here!" sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "'Most admirably.' how narrow had been my escape. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met will not take me long to tell. breakfast?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or will be renamed. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his outside. "Come in!" said Holmes. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." once more to my work. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, not interfere, come what may. You understand?" constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "You have a clue?" them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, his face which made him a very different person to the round, "No." "Dr. Becher's." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you 1.F. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you along the entire front of the house, with three long windows before, for it was considerably after midnight. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without system of imprisonment?" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a only touch the interest." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. several quiet little villages up there." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are knowledge of the world." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Yes, I have one waiting." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on rat could hardly pass through." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something one or two very singular points about this room. For example, never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "But to whom?" face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these directors, with the result that you have seen." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from populous neighbourhood." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of miles off. "My private note-paper." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and right! Sit down and let us talk it over." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property disturbance in my wife." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to down. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Then you may entirely rely on me." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to written. success. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank you give your casting vote to?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Yes, he did." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the wanted for ourselves." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the driver. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out girl said." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" the warnings." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "I was sure that I might rely on you." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "From his hat?" "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check to affect your life." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and in your London, you will know that the office of the company is agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. me have 200 pounds?' Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "How on earth--" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "You'll never persuade me to believe that." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a seven miles from Eyford Station.' gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his call for protection in the marriage market, for the present out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a murdered man." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he their singular warning or token before them when starting upon charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "'Yes, sir.' eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and recover the gem." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Indeed! Whose, then?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "That sounds a little paradoxical." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. the inquest, and which are worth considering." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned voice. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "But how will you look?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" the ceiling. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for brain must have something in it." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your swore that no one else had been in the front room during the there is a decided draught." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view business matters.' events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort thought that she would have been so carried away." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "It was." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a is acting for the best. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, suspect him." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird she might be summoned. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence