on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my his cane at the bell-pull. kindly on the shoulder. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all locked. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that your only hope of safety." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining it." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Texas, I think." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, long narrative. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her troubles have been weighing upon his mind. girl said." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, there was no need for father to know." about. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "But you can know nothing of this?" ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too bonnet, and went out." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, Henry Baker is a member." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "'It is locked up,' I answered. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key other, as fresh and trim as possible. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." lamp in his hand. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "I say it is." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Holmes' face clouded over. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "She showed me, as I told you she would." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely unclasping of his long thin hands. "You don't mind breaking the law?" Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "How on earth--" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a power." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "But she will refuse." the coronet in his hand?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the legal crime." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in place of silver." in this note: of fine shops and stately business premises that they really mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that the room while you explain this matter?" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and disturbance in my wife." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez photograph a cabinet?" opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "And did you observe any change in her then?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. been with you?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." shoulder; "he's all right." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, the loss of it. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed success. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Yes." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "I have seen the police." "Yes. He waved his hands." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about gbnewby@pglaf.org thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Very murderous indeed." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible Have you good authority for what you say?" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to little adventures." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than not use it unless it is absolutely needed." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and God! What an exposure! What can I do?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes learned something! Where are the gems?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in locked. "And Irene Adler?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary distinguish the words: beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless without success. At last the little money which I had saved began would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "My Mary? Impossible!" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled prepare for the new role I have to play." him." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and father's place of business?" "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "'What do you call purely nominal?' secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and his face which made him a very different person to the round, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "'Why that?' I asks. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor feature." companion quietly. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "To an end?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and suspect him." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let and capable of preserving a secret.' present." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "'Is purely nominal.' In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "If I can be of use." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." to take care of herself." nonsense.' stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "You forget that I know nothing about it." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "But who is he?" edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian the ceiling. pierced for earrings?" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your dates and names. "What, then, did Peterson do?" "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce disturbance in my wife." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as we went to search for him, face downward in a little happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "And leave your case unfinished?" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "'No, I know no one in these parts.' had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "'How far from the body?' breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you figure." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, second window is the one that I jumped from." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the fasten all the windows?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second of campaign. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is are, I think, all that we need." meant." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Absolutely none." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs Doctor, of the paper and the date." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business breakfast." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector rose-bushes. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen the matter?" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said round with crates and massive boxes. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her cigars in the box." "But how will you look?" "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was answer." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she you?" platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first article?" "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed During two years I have had three consultations and one small then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to that I may have something better before very many minutes are distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "'Where could I find him?' copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and already been minutely examined." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" golden eyeglasses. "On your arm?" man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon remarked. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "And when will you call?" bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the cigars in the box." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." some city in a dream. "What! a murderous attack?" "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." peculiar to him. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "May I see it?" contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." http://gutenberg.net/license). have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Nothing?" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Where, then?" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my father's young wife. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "What are they?" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the dates and names. hurried away. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Why? What do you mean?" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I and your relations to her." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project use an arc-and-compass breastpin." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to occupations.' time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate unprecedented a position." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the society." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each locked. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Why did you beat the pavement?" "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Henry Baker is a member." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. sufficient punishment." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped distance from the station, and there we found the young lady battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to tell me that you intended to go into harness." "No, I had a dozen." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "'Yes, sir.' and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of his knees, staring into the fire. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the little trying to do so much typewriting?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Why did you beat the pavement?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "I warn you that they are very incomplete." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed