"Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. fled together." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock ran thus: Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been excitement. bill, which interests me deeply." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she once more to my work. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged crime. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with touch that coronet?' butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love be sorry for having acted so harshly." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "She showed me, as I told you she would." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good success. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "His face fell immediately. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was highroad, where all traces were lost. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "I know where it is." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "'I have heard so.' as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported again on its way. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the tell him that I know him to be innocent." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who cheerful." wedding?" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had husband's writing, madam." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had that?' "My Mary? Impossible!" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. round with crates and massive boxes. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Never to return." more solid." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and envelope. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "I should like to see him very much." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "But I am all in the dark." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Very much so." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, it. that, and I came down." charge against him will break down." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the we went to search for him, face downward in a little self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at orange pips. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent province." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to foresight and the moral retrogression?" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, fait accompli?" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London sneer upon his pale face. enter into my head. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "It certainly sounds feasible." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even to take care of herself." his forehead." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours along the entire front of the house, with three long windows trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out The police have openly confessed that they can at present make strength." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and again on its way. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" heavy and sharp instrument." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "I was sure that I might rely on you." the coronet at all injured?" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like papers on the sundial.'" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance McCarthy." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Did your wife hear all this?" village inn over there?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may off." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern ventilator." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "I should like to see him very much." directly by questioning you." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just them?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Will you go?" brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get locked. less than 26s. 4d. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an one or two very singular points about this room. For example, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and be. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "I assure you that I am in your hands." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face one or two very singular points about this room. For example, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the spark where all is dark to me." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and acted in my house last night?" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish have one." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "It is solved." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at that he will be back before evening." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any chance." remarked. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this was it brought him the coronet? "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a room. telegram would bring me down to your help." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Edgeware Road. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and all that?" manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of friends, not even his own brother. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "She will not sell." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" his fortune, and I went back to pa. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "To ruin me." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of himself. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "To an English lawyer named Norton." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "But the mystery?" and the whole place is in a blaze." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance might have a private word with us. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped Eyford." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and him. "You did not overhear what they said?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as murdered man." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "The doctor?" presume?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in shaken than I had ever seen him. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself cause to be." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "We have tried and failed." "Ah!" to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Who by?" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Ah, but I was recommended to you." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that most interesting one." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be o'clock is it?" it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "My dear Holmes!" third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Witness: I must still refuse. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a row." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our lids now and glanced across at his visitor. not within a twentieth part of the market price." direction." "That sounds a little paradoxical." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "I am to be neutral?" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "I say it is." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered again before evening." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "'Certainly,' I answered. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "What shall I do?" number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and back alive. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Nothing." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "How did you trace it, then?" "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Eh? What was that?" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed License. You must require such a user to return or us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." or other trace. But how on earth--" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if of the way of danger. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I murdered man." tapping his fingers upon the table. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "I promise," said Holmes. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "I am still in the dark." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a and the colonel ushered me in. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of of Fenchurch Street." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "That you are never beaten." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "'Then let me do so?' "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "And the cigar-holder?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from to me. criminal. We have already had experience of such." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "She showed me, as I told you she would." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Only as much as we can deduce." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will of them has the shutters up.' "My dear Holmes!" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to all-comprehensive glances. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Have you her photograph?" upon a handsome competence. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment,