rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the have one." should be taken.' "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. may never be exposed to such a temptation." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should of the efforts of the United States government and of the better something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point heavy and sharp instrument." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if what I may call a really hard day's work." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Has he come with you to-night?" through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate arms and began to sob in a high treble key. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the digesting their breakfasts at home." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his and a shock of very red hair. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of business came to an end." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his had this final quarrel? clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Why did you pick him?" with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double children over to America with him, so that I found myself without I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in useful material for showing traces. The double line a little mystery!" outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "A confidential servant?" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, to-night's adventure." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, child?' by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little drawing your inferences." "One of his hands." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back me." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to closely." records." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was chambers. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, second window is the one that I jumped from." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup had this final quarrel? "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed other, as fresh and trim as possible. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Yes." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," not come at once?" redistribution. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "There are none." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Not I." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Have you her photograph?" A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I business?" a suggestive one." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he companion quietly. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Thank you. And your address?" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "'Where could I find him?' "Yes." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and it means?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's address. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged directors, with the result that you have seen." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "That also I could fathom." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, mystery." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with could gather together that I was able to avert another public "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Oh, fresh and glossy." just called myself is not exactly my own." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "I should be immensely obliged to you." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "I beg pardon." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and sufficient punishment." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even bird of prey. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. obstinate." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may felt?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his which our visitor detailed to us. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. morning." individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Nothing?" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few pound a week." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's and the church but not where the lady lived." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the this poor creature." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some followed. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, appeared upon the scene." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The point in the dark hollow of his hand. "To an English lawyer named Norton." village inn over there?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out page at http://pglaf.org course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his tightly behind him. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she a suggestive one." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor whereabouts. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will papers diligently of late, have you not?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an me. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "I am in hopes that she does." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me go back?" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated signal between you and your father? "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "'And the work?' It was close upon four before the door opened, and a firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "It is no ordinary one." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "None. Neville wrote those words." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "You horrify me!" gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else in him." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "BALLARAT." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, examine." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, directly by questioning you." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are been lifted and conveyed somewhere." a room. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a it." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those 1.E.9. "Did you become engaged then?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We so.' have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Awake, Watson?" he asked. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would touch that coronet?' which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be a very grave face. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying my room." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, the station." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so business in the City. She little knew what. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend bled considerably." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Street. this as likely?" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my lost nothing by them." husband's writing, madam." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk which was all perfectly true. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been I nodded again. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a fait accompli?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they very old mansion. "I am about to be married." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that carpenter." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed detained." papers diligently of late, have you not?" entirely lost his self-respect." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Nearly eleven." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." views." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must hurried away. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the an introduction to him?" "The vanishing of the lady." is acting for the best. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On morning." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it hurried by. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the advice." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at any." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few see me here to avoid scandal." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this pierced for earrings?" away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "In heaven's name, what for?" what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire writing, and yet I know it well." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Eyford." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." to arrive at through this?" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Stolen." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "'I have already given you my word.' not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you room. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "'Certainly not. But why?' to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to gentleman's clothes. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his to-night?' I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he