of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Why serious?" reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Then I can wait in the next room." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "If so, much may have happened between." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." affection." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, nonsense.' "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "I am all attention, madam." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Never." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. electronic works himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. have had none more fantastic than this." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Well, some hundreds of times." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his them, and came down just as you departed. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if the matter?" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "His face fell immediately. than to us. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "At half-wages, in fact." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him writing, and yet I know it well." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "I cannot tell." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From public press." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. night.' said he. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Absolutely none." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." and a shock of very red hair. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a could gather together that I was able to avert another public main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice point in the dark hollow of his hand. you give your casting vote to?" as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly money should be paid at once.' the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "He might." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told than to us. invisible to me," I remarked. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales I. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "This concluded the examination of the witness." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "But she could not love him." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that indiscretion." "Then I shall certainly come." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an which was all perfectly true. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "He might." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire that he will be back before evening." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Eyford." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Oh, fresh and glossy." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It photograph?" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Munro.' of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the someone who had been in Australia." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." in the hope of finding them." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish so far?" away in different directions, and I went off to make my own really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Yes, he did." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she to his chemical studies. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the could gather together that I was able to avert another public of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Farm upon the left." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the them present such singular features as the strange train of the night.' "Only as much as we can deduce." deduce something from that?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was fasten all the windows?" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there the morning and make my own way in the world.' no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, this poor creature." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. all-comprehensive glances. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed sofa. This way, please!" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird back alive. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "None." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as to-morrow." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and The summons was a brief and urgent one. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "None. Neville wrote those words." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "And how did he make his money?" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting union?" he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his your only hope of safety." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences hair?' the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed business." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Proceed, then." maid will bring up your coffee." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and appeared upon the scene." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Certainly." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when locked. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one up this clue while it is still hot." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of confronted him. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "No." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me heavy and sharp instrument." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "No." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." at home. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Then he might have called to you?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "I don't believe it." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn maiden herself was most instructive." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if death." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. even of instruction." "By train from Waterloo." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable are, I think, all that we need." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her pity, because in other respects you would really have done very home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "But who is he?" to change my dress. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose and prosperity to your house. Good-night." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic together. what I may call a really hard day's work." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement carpenter." fluttered off among the others. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in clang of the bell. "My own seal." "Your sister is dead, then?" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, business." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel over here." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria throat." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The signal between you and your father? rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be served to weaken the effect. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "And what did you see?" a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe events than those which have happened in my own family." "How did he come?" instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of at my remark. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I My friend smiled. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Stolen." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was use an arc-and-compass breastpin." questionable one." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Did your wife hear all this?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "What are they?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he is worth.' the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and village inn over there?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other "And leave your case unfinished?" TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at overpowering excitement and concern. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to my special province." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,