to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue see a sister of mine apply for." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "10th. John Swain cleared. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "What, then, did Peterson do?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your key of the affair now." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was narrative." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became some city in a dream. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "This concluded the examination of the witness." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice wanted for ourselves." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "A confidential servant?" a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "No, my brougham is waiting." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and money should be paid at once.' to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Not in a good cause." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "What are they?" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of crowd. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the carpenter." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Yes." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the out." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window you give your casting vote to?" "Not in a good cause." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my discontent upon his features. "But he might be a bachelor." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" States. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor awkward doing business with an alias." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what 1.F. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "One of his hands." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Yes, it would be as well." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "'Where could I find him?' things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, nice household for a young lady." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than door?" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, minor matters until to-morrow." "I am sure." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, The summons was a brief and urgent one. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs visitors." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the closing the door. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Project Gutenberg-tm works. stalked out of the room. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream rooms." business?" populous neighbourhood." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "No good news?" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "What will you do, then?" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, letters?" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "He disappeared so suddenly." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under had a long day." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Not in a good cause." Eyford." particular state visit http://pglaf.org Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Won't it ring?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Serpentine Avenue. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "That sounds a little paradoxical." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than it right.' to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Bought." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy perplexity from it to my illustrious client. The summons was a brief and urgent one. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very all that?" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "And how in the world did you find them?" through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we of fine shops and stately business premises that they really dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name his wife has ceased to love him." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who maiden herself was most instructive." comes from the middle window." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Nothing." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "We must have a cab." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "'What then?' I asked. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his to-night?' he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon weighed down with some great anxiety. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' name is different." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my present strange and interesting features that it is no easy every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so compunction about shooting them down." seven miles from Eyford Station.' the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Come in!" said he. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Did he not advertise?" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than waste of energy." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should bed dies. Does not that strike you?" I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, where we are going." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "It is possible." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a question," said Holmes, smiling. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution your co-operation." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "I cannot think." derbies." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "By all means." peculiar to him. fait accompli?" my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "It must be recovered." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a that you wished to speak to me?' labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, populous neighbourhood." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Yes." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not pierced for earrings?" case-book, which he consulted. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his national property. I was determined that the law should have its which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "In answer to an advertisement." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Where, then?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Holmes' room. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "And Irene Adler?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "But to whom?" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and memory. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "I am all attention, madam." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for entirely devoid of interest." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in room had already been engaged for us. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a strange features which were associated with the two crimes which instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "It must be recovered." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and any more." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "And from a noble client?" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a writer." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "The knees of his trousers." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in upon the white wrist. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. if she died from some sudden fright." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside me where it went to?" "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Then I shall certainly come." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been later, upon the night of May 2nd." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during were unconscious?" us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. into the bag, and made for the door. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Here?" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Henry Baker is a member." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Certainly." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should brain must have something in it." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of wanted for ourselves." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "What have you to say now?" his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "It looks newer than the other things?" The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is hard-headed British jury." disturbance in my wife." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the inquest, and which are worth considering." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little correct than the official force." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face over his head with a sweet womanly caress. night.' said he. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" quickly through a disagreeable task. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of know all about it," he snarled. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "You are hungry," I remarked. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in have established a very serious case against the son of the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "The rest you will leave in our hands." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "'Why that?' I asks. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful digesting their breakfasts at home." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found said he. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "'Why that?' I asks. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, own family. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot garden below. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg happened." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the this poor creature." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and stalked out of the room. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "But she could not love him." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more