"'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "In San Francisco, a year ago." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, breakfast?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. which it had come upon my father." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Murdered?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through tell him that I know him to be innocent." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "I am still in the dark." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they mystery." bears upon the case?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, present." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most think that he is innocent?" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "No." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my crackling voice. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, evidence," I remarked. away into the river." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into could not have written that. It is the German who is so imbecility!" he cried. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in him." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Well, but China?" Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed very peculiar words of the dying woman?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up to a more successful conclusion." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many front of the hall door has given its name to the place. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "How did you trace it, then?" which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. help us in this matter." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of that you wished to speak to me?' question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony disappearance of these gems?" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, you, my dear young lady?' Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Do you receive much company?" he asked. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of figure." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "She will not sell." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love cause to be." off." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of have been better. It is all right." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the spare." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "I beg pardon." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Holmes rather sternly. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "She showed me, as I told you she would." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, some water from a caraffe. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, quickly through a disagreeable task. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending as the one I chose?' overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is What do you deduce from it?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several not as remarkable as your advertisement." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong IS complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. mystery!" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Yes." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three in my life." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, go--none." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "That is easily got." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand hour." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came affair. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so the room while you explain this matter?" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to is entirely a question of barometric pressure." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Oh, the cause is excellent!" have one." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" secret." a room. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too detective. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass considering the formidable letters which were received by himself wedding?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have nonsense.' His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "What steps will you take?" I asked. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the someone who had been in Australia." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of have had none more fantastic than this." "Stolen, then." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of Munro.' when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events of the one which your family is now devouring." guilty parties." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts within hail.' against a man in the prime of life?" Leadenhall Street--and--" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Yes, the wine-cellar." and glanced through. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a nonsense.' the tragedy. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "My private note-paper." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It business came to an end." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my bedroom door." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "'Never.' rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between if she died from some sudden fright." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this works. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. started for the Temple to see my husband. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police to arrive at through this?" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but weary and pale-looking. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a views." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Oh, yes, easily." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of records." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to you give your casting vote to?" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my with the outside air!" this poor creature." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass other lovers by making love himself." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat even of instruction." his cane at the bell-pull. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a me." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two if I call to-morrow?" Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or one's self under obligations.' Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the guilty one." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in for its centre. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Well, it is a possible supposition." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. him to be an active member of the medical profession." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution bird I ate is country bred." "An enemy?" "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "I am still in the dark." do you make of it all?" You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of if I call to-morrow?" to-night?' "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." indiscretion." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers bird of prey. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "'How far from the body?' of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King Arthur Conan Doyle "How can you tell that?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "What can you not understand?" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Perhaps I have." It may be so in this case, also." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the man. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant conversation I have gathered that they have been married about of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out sake, don't!" comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Perhaps I have." everything which you would wish to know." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' answer." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be quick march!" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Yes, certainly." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the she might be summoned. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody a room. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "And why?" "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "How did you trace it, then?" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow breakfast." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was there!' with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which joking. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the train.' followed. the so-precious time, but come!' handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Quite so." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned status with the IRS. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the gives a meaning to it." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to License. You must require such a user to return or thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as approach us with offers to donate. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "He slept on the premises." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "The landlord of the Alpha." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "The gentleman I describe." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "And did you observe any change in her then?"