sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Tired-looking or fresh?" wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far upon the shelf for the interim." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal some place of shelter and let the county police know what has wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I from you?" suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "To ruin me." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have my secret was safe in his possession. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the coronet at all injured?" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Look there!" said he. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "How are you getting on?" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you is," said he presently: tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have that you wished to speak to me?' shadow pass over his face as I spoke. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Get out!" said he. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Then I shall certainly come." "Deserted you?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the he died? opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "'Where to?' Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "'Then let me do so?' out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This over here." such attractions and accomplishments?' that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress made him keep the appointment." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to to-night?' attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a awaited us upon the table. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran the tragedy. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the public press." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, about. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" spare." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the and your relations to her." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I future lives." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I of the vacancies.' already referred to. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I tapping his fingers upon the table. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of the coronet in his hand?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must which it had come upon my father." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "I cannot think." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "One of his hands." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in on re-entering her father's house?" thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "My photograph." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of locked." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Yes." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp served to weaken the effect. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where read over the extraordinary announcement. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an questioning and rather startled gaze. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "'Never.' at my remark. straighten it?" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all it." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. that you wished to speak to me?' "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." remarked. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and friend's singular character. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other pity, because in other respects you would really have done very down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than at once, for I have only half an hour." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads of receipt of the work. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth have not had my rubber." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. as yours." was shining brightly. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not conceal it?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately cause to be." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He it." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more congratulate you again." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce that he has suffered." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Yes." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." to that open window." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt danger is over." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper you want, then?' should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of was not a bird to be seen there. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the if she died from some sudden fright." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was carried out of court." awkward doing business with an alias." "And now?" He raised his hand. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "I never have." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord Holmes rather sternly. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, directly by questioning you." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "What is it?" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet yourselves in at night?" about. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth matters immensely." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman Henry Baker is a member." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On money should be paid at once.' himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "'Where could I find him?' the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "What can you not understand?" the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either shoulder; "he's all right." bedroom door." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet ready to-morrow?' "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought since then to throw any light upon what became of him." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "She will not sell." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a that?' erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Ha! you find it so?" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there upon the white wrist. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "I would give my fortune to have them back." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Your sister is dead, then?" unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Come in!" said he. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper to arrive at through this?" and capable of preserving a secret.' formed some opinion?" present." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Certainly." them?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge be. gigantic client. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while your only hope of safety." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "I am following you closely," I answered. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "'Yes, sir.' facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is horse could go." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white horse could go." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden cigar and let me expound." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six to surprise her." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "'Where could I find him?' "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Well." "But what harm can there be in that?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather be.' made him keep the appointment." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if again on its way. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "My dear Holmes!" than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was gone. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Well, but China?" him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation things are very often connected not with the larger but with the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Yes, sir." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad leave you to your papers for a little." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from danger is over." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on any more." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have too. better grown goose." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. man. have had none more fantastic than this." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I asked. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes already referred to. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me tail." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me mystery!" "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the his wife has ceased to love him." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe singular points about the case. What did the police think of the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which companion quietly. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "I cannot think." "VIOLET HUNTER." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very all?" "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One were wasted." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of me what he had done with the three missing stones. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His vault. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and washing it down with a long draught of water. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so