had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "My dear Holmes!" "Can I be of assistance?" servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. matters immensely." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." been able to understand it, in a very few words. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; served to weaken the effect. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my cigars in their mouths. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "And Irene Adler?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" hurried away. "I will do it." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a depend upon your compliance." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Not in the least." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this drove away. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after hands. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my note?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you the loss of it. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "In San Francisco, a year ago." know that the truth is known." four million human beings all jostling each other within the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "And now?" I asked. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his I shall continue with my miserable story. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "What then?" narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "'And what salary do you ask?' loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Holmes' room. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would closely." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying entirely devoid of interest." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the light and attacked it." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Dr. Becher's." gentleman's clothes. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the intimate personal affairs in this public manner." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, approach us with offers to donate. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at a suggestive one." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Has he come with you to-night?" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Sutherland. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, British peeress.'" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "I saw her in conversation with her maid." had a long day." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered colonel looking down at me. my little problems." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "And I to find an enemy." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." paper in the air. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that fait accompli?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a morning." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug few hundred pounds.' "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "'About the same.' but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but words came to my lips. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "How did he come?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the undoubtedly my uncle's." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper public press." "You have the photograph?" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Imitated." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "You horrify me!" "Texas, I think." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt yourselves in at night?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat main points of my analysis." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more were unconscious?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you child?' which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble the iron safe, which he closed upon it. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. it with his own hands." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining look dissatisfied." business at Coburg Square is serious." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the I. "No, distinctly professional." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and definite end. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "I never have." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "The murder was done with it." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "And for present expenses?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "An accident, I presume?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, and wait." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital a room. was lame." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive or other trace. But how on earth--" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in death." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a will be renamed. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to to tell." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "And help." official police." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain straightened it out again. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must we went to search for him, face downward in a little lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands and all of them with the keenest interest. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the asked. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on nothing with him." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Yes." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge voice, changing her seat as requested. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "It looks newer than the other things?" to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Of what?" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the devil!" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little learned something! Where are the gems?" "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife it with his own hands." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back is worth.' morning." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "But of what society?" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, the side-table." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, entirely lost his self-respect." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "I cannot tell." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you investigation." done what I asked you, Jones?" fait accompli?" thirty. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. copied or distributed: "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught evidence," I remarked. II. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had gone. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique desk. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident in my life." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner passage and a tap at the door. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Witness: I must still refuse. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Entirely." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. side. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having useful material for showing traces. The double line a little eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." side. of the vacancies.' "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark prisoner's face. mysterious end." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to guilty one." "'There is a drive, then?' "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to head. So long, then!" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "'Certainly,' I answered. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off deduce something from that?" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating call the police, let the police find what they can.' could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "It certainly sounds feasible." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at horse could go." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in too.