the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "My Mary? Impossible!" high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project true." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided legal crime." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." and inquire as to the address." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "One?" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he mystery!" bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to voice, changing her seat as requested. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting the warnings." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. following enigmatical notices: usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "What can it mean?" I gasped. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet easy-going way." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and possible that we could bring him back to her? fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster ourselves in the office." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "How did you deduce the select?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I and prosperity to your house. Good-night." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "It is his hat." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded might help us?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a unclasping of his long thin hands. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a voice. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Yes, that is the Crown." so.' been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Yes." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with examination of the premises, but without finding anything which hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the hand, madam?" and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door compunction about shooting them down." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that secret." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "It's nothing of the kind." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "What, then, did Peterson do?" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Pray continue your narrative." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Then I shall certainly come." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Oh, yes, easily." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an throat." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "It is to him that this trophy belongs." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he that?' of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "I came to find a friend." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of walking." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the colonel looking down at me. that threaten you." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that maiden herself was most instructive." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a gbnewby@pglaf.org brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Was your sister dressed?" and have this put in the evening papers." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms breakfast?" gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "But to whom?" to-night?" I asked. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his or other trace. But how on earth--" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Where, indeed?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Eh? What was that?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "I would give my fortune to have them back." "I have solved it." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting ourselves in the office." little trying to do so much typewriting?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire said he. My friend smiled. voice, changing her seat as requested. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the that there was nothing in it, after all." make me his representative both with the servants and with the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by visitors." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Yes." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower hour?' consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong directly by questioning you." "Did he not advertise?" "He said too much." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too call for it in person on Monday morning.' England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "I came to find a friend." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a just ask you whether you had heard it.' he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works strength in the others." "Come in!" said he. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold out." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a tail." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. 1.F. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to that before taking the final step I should like to submit the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of little adventures." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were you." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "The knees of his trousers." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Only as much as we can deduce." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some round with crates and massive boxes. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building only touch the interest." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that depend upon your compliance." fashion which was peculiar to him. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Dr. Becher's." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Texas, I think." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "'Entirely.' admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Yesterday." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Yes, I have one waiting." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "I am armed." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." child?' sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I was not a bird to be seen there. bled considerably." never will be, entirely cleared up. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right it." Henry Baker is a member." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' as noiselessly as she had come. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "My private note-paper." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which second." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "It is very clear." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the best detective that ever lived. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could fasten all the windows?" minor matters until to-morrow." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple himself to tell his story. showing my impatience. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of for securing the situation." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. long narrative. four million human beings all jostling each other within the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman be best to do. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned outside." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Yes." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall name is different." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Has he come with you to-night?" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Mary, has deserted me." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there which it had come upon my father." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come mystery!" heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "'And the work?' the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began in the hope of finding them." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has possible that we could bring him back to her? "'Why that?' I asks. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these business at Coburg Square is serious." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and new duties?' hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "That's no good." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "But your client--" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "'Yes.' wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "What do you mean?" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever 1.F.