"You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" speckled band?" lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "'I am sure that I do not know.' wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of said he at last. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit house for five minutes.' "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "It is his hat." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. cigars in their mouths. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "No, my brougham is waiting." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. province." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was posted to-day." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with chambers. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose hardly wander." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush him nearly every evening." eavesdroppers?' the ceiling. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "But his lameness?" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in events than those which have happened in my own family." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective reach." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has wedding?" giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "And how did he make his money?" case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you asked with his eyes open. "Have you it here?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the crime." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came conduct the inquiry." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless his cane at the bell-pull. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very from you?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought hopeless attempt at recovering them." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "What I expected to see." "When did it break out?" cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "VIOLET HUNTER." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every it." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. woman." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "'Never,' said I. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He are windows in it, of course?" is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on voice, changing her seat as requested. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles within hail.' "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Entirely." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an past. danger is over." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the and all of them with the keenest interest. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "But we can't all be." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set address. window when the police appeared." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And investigation." you give your casting vote to?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "There are none." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Very well, sir. And this stone?" from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Were they all fastened this morning?" been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "I cannot tell." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Holmes rather sternly. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied footfalls from the street. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the cigars in their mouths. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of in this way: waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Upon what point?" law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I is acting for the best. "Yes, only one." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw himself to hunt down. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it are, I think, all that we need." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, imbecility!" he cried. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I me upon any point which I do not make clear." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." purpose of examination. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside some place of shelter and let the county police know what has however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as papers diligently of late, have you not?" directors have had misgivings upon the subject." advice." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not depend upon my doing so.' laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a before, for it was considerably after midnight. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "I will do it." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "You'll never persuade me to believe that." village inn over there?" in his power. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." to arrive at through this?" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "'And what are they worth?' I asked. that, and I came down." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might a monotonous occupation." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident conclusions. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the suddenly upon us." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" I was concerned in it." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of my special province." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. galvanised. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' the side-table." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come take the flies, but not before." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we burst out into a roar of laughter. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Not in a good cause." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "No, I am descending." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, character. train.' by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "How can you tell that?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he had formerly been in part my own. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "'How far from the body?' self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark certainly not very gracious." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who DISSOLVED. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. carried out of court." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "It missed him, then?" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "No, I had a dozen." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Why, what do you mean?" father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. lamp in his hand. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Indeed! Whose, then?" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "'And what are they worth?' I asked. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "And how?" upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, at my own good fortune. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left the iron safe, which he closed upon it. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. room. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not and effective." "And what did you learn from him?" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway bird of prey. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, and files of the old papers, following the future career of every day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "'Where to?' 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, I took the paper from him and read as follows: mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I in his hands." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and within hail.' done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a present strange and interesting features that it is no easy daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so help us in this matter." "Quite so." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Yes, it was twisted." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any good for you to do.' There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever happened." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We to Leatherhead. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." upon the white wrist. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Chief Executive and Director plantation.' left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this the so-precious time, but come!' photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her there has been an enclosure here!" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' events than those which have happened in my own family." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To bed dies. Does not that strike you?" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. chambers. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story