the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his him to be an active member of the medical profession." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "To an end?" waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "I am in hopes that she does." most interesting one." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Yes." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very directors have had misgivings upon the subject." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should salesman. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "'A dozen yards or so.' you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "And for present expenses?" him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its prison!" which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the client, rising. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Pray be precise as to details," said he. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "He is still with you, I presume?" outside. minor matters until to-morrow." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I speckled band?" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off hereditary King of Bohemia." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Then I can wait in the next room." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Yes, but only for you and me." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "It is solved." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free Mrs. Toller serenely. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely have one." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments been anything against him. He had for years been known as a maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend spark where all is dark to me." Foundation reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "My Mary? Impossible!" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' and files of the old papers, following the future career of every me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I business." Foundation upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Dirty?" are windows in it, of course?" make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, to-night?" I asked. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Have you it here?" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite here." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the shall use the carriage to-night." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much the room while you explain this matter?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "What, then, did Peterson do?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be recall any case within my experience which looked at the first open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even affection." remarked. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "That is not always so easy." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "You have it, sir, just as it happened." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are we went to search for him, face downward in a little once more. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what children over to America with him, so that I found myself without at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." that there was nothing in it, after all." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug annoyance, but no jest. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a ways including including checks, online payments and credit card surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was mystery may be cleared along those lines." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these of Mr. Rucastle's." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main been lifted and conveyed somewhere." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely fat-encircled eyes. straighten it?" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and absolutely follow my advice in every respect." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Really! You surprise me." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not might have a private word with us. shoulder. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and works. See paragraph 1.E below. these bleak autumnal evenings." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with even of instruction." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, down from London to inquire more deeply into it." the best of training." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. them?" play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, writing, and yet I know it well." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Not in a good cause." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in seven miles from Eyford Station.' shall use the carriage to-night." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. detective. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the wall." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into foot. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to enough to aid us in our search." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, companion. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local been shamefully used." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was carpenter." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on The police have openly confessed that they can at present make advice." next day. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; heavily into it. might have a private word with us. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some presented which may be striking and bizarre without being here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "The murder was done with it." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "My own seal." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything she used." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Does that suggest anything?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could records." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly crackling voice. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that true." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and true." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention begun to whiten, even as mine has." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have occurred." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced to tackle the facts." "And how did you find out?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but was lame." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "I should be immensely obliged to you." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "What! You do not mean bodies?" "It was an hour's good drive." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's flock.' the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "It looks newer than the other things?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Street. when you have done it." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in of." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Where, then, is my wife?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Yes." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a locked. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she people in all walks of life. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see wedding?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Sholtos." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Then, how do you know?" found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Texas, I think." the coroner come to?" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid could not have written that. It is the German who is so into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Henry Baker is a member." me. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "You have carte blanche." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "And the murderer?" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "'Certainly not. But why?' face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his was not a bird to be seen there. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never other lovers by making love himself." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should Holmes." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't not fit the lock." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Certainly." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the Clair, of Lee." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked front of me. mysterious end." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley writer." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been that I am arrested." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Get out!" said he. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "They are typewritten," I remarked. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "'I have already given you my word.' rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "'What then?' I asked. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Very much so." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to enter into my head. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a colonel looking down at me. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little be.' without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." in his hands." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact chance." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "This photograph!" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that