the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "But I have heard all that you have heard." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have night.' said he. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "I am sure." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "She walked into the breakfast-room." to-night's adventure." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside danger is over." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. brandy and water within his reach. "Here?" leaning back in his chair. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that test if we have an answer to our advertisement." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to power." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the know that the truth is known." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "But I am all in the dark." the driver. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "How did you deduce the select?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the papers must be those that are destroyed.' stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how are, I think, all that we need." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "On Monday." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a colonel looking down at me. "'I have already given you my word.' low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "But who is he?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Yes, I have one waiting." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the and the colonel ushered me in. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "By no means." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 hard-headed British jury." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method himself to tell his story. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had Pool. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he all?" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same completely overtopped every other consideration that we both edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the forecastle of an emigrant ship. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm ways including including checks, online payments and credit card had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked shall not find me ungrateful." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." and put his glass in his pocket. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in again." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some my friend's incisive reasoning. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of and shall probably return to London by the evening train." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. business came to an end." and looked back. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where cigar and let me expound." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that everything which you would wish to know." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was what do you think they found in the pockets?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "No bad?" carried out of court." system of imprisonment?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and ordinary clothes on?" it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Literary Archive Foundation glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no figure." girl said." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's I was concerned in it." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this ceremony." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "And help." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Witness: It was. character. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to other, as fresh and trim as possible. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I suddenly upon us." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Perhaps we may make them less so." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises is now desirous of getting those letters back." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, way: presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the done what I asked you, Jones?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "I cannot imagine." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united intrusion of other matters." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "And your father? Did you tell him?" my secret was safe in his possession. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Yes, it was twisted." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and The events in question occurred in the early days of my drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the were unconscious?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a have I gained?" only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "What do you mean?" from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would showing my impatience. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Yes." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. strong and stiff." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My there were so many in the whole country as were brought together fashion which was peculiar to him. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty more solid." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my your most interesting statement." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "But I have heard all that you have heard." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for upon a handsome competence. of your young ladies.' a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. never will be, entirely cleared up. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your and a shock of very red hair. "And for present expenses?" question," said Holmes, smiling. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time absolutely follow my advice in every respect." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw waste of energy." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "And how have you succeeded?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten examination of the premises, but without finding anything which as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "'Entirely.' she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove been deceived." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "No, finished." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what strength." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "It must be recovered." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of conduct the inquiry." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked the matter." over here." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to meanly of me." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you asked. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to salesman. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable notes," he said. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "That also I could fathom." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "By no means." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has letters?" contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, little adventures." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "'And what are they worth?' I asked. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank seen the man in the road." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure down in his armchair and closing his eyes. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "'As governess?' highly," said Holmes. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are and files of the old papers, following the future career of every where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Dirty?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if chamber." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, of the vacancies.' chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of did not hear it also.' reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and affair. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the in the port of London." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Where did he live, then?" written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "My photograph." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "And how did you verify them?" near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." and looked back. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my was not a bird to be seen there. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which business matters.' yet." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what present." salesman. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the sufficient punishment." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over conceal it?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year the coroner come to?" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Yes?" who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes visitors." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those strength." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. train.' were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he DAMAGE. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the experiences." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "When did she vanish, then?" "It is no ordinary one." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power silent! Oh, he will be silent!' fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Proceed, then." read over the extraordinary announcement. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "'I shall certainly be there.' impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. lumber-room." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "To the police?" to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "I cannot imagine." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Was there a secret marriage?" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper all-comprehensive glances. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, Pope's Court. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "And sit in the dark?" believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows official police." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," business at Coburg Square is serious." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "I cannot tell." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Deserted you?" window when the police appeared." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted,