Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Where is it, then?" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom matter." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham his cane at the bell-pull. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the meanly of me." directors, with the result that you have seen." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer 'please.'" could not have written that. It is the German who is so "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Yes." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last individual and becomes the badge of a society." "No, thank goodness, she did not." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. or in danger--" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' occupations.' sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "I answered that I had not. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Project Gutenberg-tm works. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Could he throw no light?" that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "An enemy?" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Here?" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time despair." "Could he throw no light?" chambers. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "What! Had he lost his wife?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be looking up at the numbers of the houses." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United prepare for the new role I have to play." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Is he quiet?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "And you don't know his address?" the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in the coronet in his hands?" "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in whole matter to your consideration." formed some opinion?" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. the bottom.' "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my prove to be little relation between the different incidents of protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," round with crates and massive boxes. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "We must have a cab." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Thank you. Pray proceed." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "But we can't all be." hurried away. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker spare." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know country, and eventually married, without anyone having a at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. fire. You quite follow me?" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy such person." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "'Is 4 pounds a week.' refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to friend's singular character. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "So it appears." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with have had none more fantastic than this." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "I am about to be married." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of arrested. You then--" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. see me here to avoid scandal." maid will bring up your coffee." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "About a month then." breakfast?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your signal between you and your father? returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this fuss that is made over them." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "What office?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Entirely." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "And for present expenses?" DAMAGE. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, forebodings. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Yes, from Horsham." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any to talk it over. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. the general public were present, then?" invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat of receipt of the work. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but once more on the important position which you have been fortunate urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "You horrify me." undoubtedly my uncle's." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "To an English lawyer named Norton." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so locked." "It surprised me." be.' He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I that felt?" vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was said Mr. Holder. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "But you would not advise me to refuse?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "No." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with girl said." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "The Cedars?" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything three of the beryls in it, was missing. "I shall most certainly do so." go back?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of had a long day." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "A call for help, you thought?" solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a ashen face. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, at home. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick the south-west, I see." fled together." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but made him keep the appointment." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "On your arm?" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon coat-tails." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon present." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "In answer to an advertisement." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this into the bag, and made for the door. "No." DISSOLVED. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "It is possible." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes 'please.'" "Entirely." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." which our visitor detailed to us. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I one which it was hard to resist. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a without success. At last the little money which I had saved began when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "But you can know nothing of this?" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left was a perfect sample of the class. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "I shall be delighted." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our he died? have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both the bed, and you in that chair." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it instituted." look dissatisfied." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "'Certainly not. But why?' have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." ago." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you locked." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my a good hundred miles off by now." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "How can you tell that?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Yes, it would be as well." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs hard-headed British jury." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the the stones. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "'Where could I find him?' "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' likely to be some crony of the landlady's." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Precisely." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side any little problem which you may submit to me." bell. Holmes whistled. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last hair?' in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding shaken than I had ever seen him. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "His face fell immediately. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a the one as in the other." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Ha! you find it so?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing This is what he says: this remarkable episode. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the made his money." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "I cannot think." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Perhaps I have." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, lamp. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Yes." "I have come for advice." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire charged with?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "No." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Then I am your man." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Nearly eleven." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the green of the new foliage. strength of mind to control. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out heavy and sharp instrument." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. not come at once?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the