rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering brandy and water within his reach. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which quite distinctive." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the hour." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness points in connection with it which never have been, and probably smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. assist you in forming an opinion." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "I don't believe it." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the chambers. face and glided from the room. "She showed me, as I told you she would." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "I answered that I had not. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique trying to your nerves." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we October 9, 1890. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "And how did you find out?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, instincts rose up against that laugh. where she found matters as described by the last witness. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in business in the City. She little knew what. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. weighed down with some great anxiety. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The of the one which your family is now devouring." the very morning of the wedding." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until did not hear it also.' comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was business in the City. She little knew what. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" it." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you most important business. It is probable that he will be away all http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return gone before you can get him to hospital." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no daring than any effort of the imagination." four million human beings all jostling each other within the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What you." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated his knees, staring into the fire. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin upon a handsome competence. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. developed." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an II. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "I was certainly surprised to find you there." voice, changing her seat as requested. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes as the one I chose?' the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for forebodings. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all McCarthy's innocence. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is opened a pocket-book and took out a note. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "An enemy?" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. eat it." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "The Coroner: What do you mean? was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "There are none." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, narrative." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, there were so many in the whole country as were brought together corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I help us in this matter." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the presented more singular features than that which was associated brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs three of the beryls in it, was missing. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared Again Holmes raved in the air. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside had died away into the silence from which it rose. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and floor. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy things are very often connected not with the larger but with the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, grasp, he hurried from the room. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Yes. He waved his hands." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare which are rolled in Rotterdam." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight shoulder; "he's all right." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and there when the Rucastles went away." the dangers which encompass me." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and are windows in it, of course?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder looking up at the numbers of the houses." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "'Ten to two.' of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Ha! you find it so?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most goes." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "In which, sir?" would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said south, for the country is more deserted there." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to problems help me to do so." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper children over to America with him, so that I found myself without where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among not, dad?" she asked. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "I have a cab outside." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his fluttered off among the others. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if own family. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying business at Coburg Square is serious." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "In which, sir?" The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Yes?" wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for for and were ordered to this address. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really your own bird, so if you wish--" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. asked. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "You have compromised yourself seriously." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "When did it break out?" he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two had this final quarrel? villagers almost as much as their master. to arrive at through this?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "No. What a strange idea!" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "It is his hat." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, fait accompli?" convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle chambers. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a said he. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news night.' said he. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of the date of his supposed suicide." Leadenhall Street--and--" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is system of imprisonment?" golden eyeglasses. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "May I see it?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six yards of it?' the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "But how could you guess what the motive was?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "My photograph." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "'Very good.' to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Yes, it would be as well." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "That's no good." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "My dear Holmes!" Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, standing smiling on the door-step. will be renamed. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called of the efforts of the United States government and of the better see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "'I shall certainly be there.' speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is pictures, libraries, or plate. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of you found me to-night--and running through the front room she been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "I was certainly surprised to find you there." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." it. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "You will not go there first?" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "If I can be of use." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Your presence might be invaluable." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the bears upon the case?" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "I am sure." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Stoke Moran?" said he. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you suddenly upon us." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his any more." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "I don't believe it." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be are windows in it, of course?" unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he heavily into it. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Where is it, then?" "Never." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "No." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "And how have you succeeded?" "I say that I have solved it." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was depend upon your compliance." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "And now?" I asked. status with the IRS. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to union?" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "He disappeared so suddenly." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was presume?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt for the market.' of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor true." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only plantation.' which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a opened the door, and slipped through. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately the devil!" thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. woven round him. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Stolen." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the three fields round his house, and there he would take his finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful