drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll such person." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "'Is purely nominal.' triumphant cloud from his cigarette. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words all that?" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "What can it mean?" I gasped. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Yes. He waved his hands." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just promised to bring home. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four been shamefully used." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, amused." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which suddenly upon us." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Yes, that is the Crown." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? morning." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has the salesman. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "You think that he is dead?" "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door daring than any effort of the imagination." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his I approached. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "In which, sir?" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Pray do so." strength of mind to control. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite been." own family. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it threw himself down with his face to the pillow. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "No, my brougham is waiting." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must must be when I saw the door open.' "From his hat?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Project Gutenberg-tm works. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Proceed, then." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's mystery." success. to change my dress. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "You think that he is dead?" "'Ample.' "Married! When?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to forebodings. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Nothing?" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Doctor, of the paper and the date." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "And how in the world did you find them?" "Nothing?" nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we do.' companion quietly. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "At what time?" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." leaning back in his chair. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried and the whole place is in a blaze." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "In heaven's name, what for?" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Yes." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your habit of advancing money.' My friend smiled. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, people don't know." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and were wasted." desk. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. power." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "None." clanging. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Has he come with you to-night?" end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he you for a few hours?" that, and I came down." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of at my remark. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, my former friend and companion. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned my little problems." companion. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Where did he live, then?" companion. lost nothing by them." the inquest, and which are worth considering." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Stoke Moran." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Certainly." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "I was sure that I might rely on you." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my instincts rose up against that laugh. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of death." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not where we are going." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the despair." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and despair." some city in a dream. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "'Yes.' its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Yes." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond at my own good fortune. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and voice. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave do.' from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the weighed down with some great anxiety. "Was your sister dressed?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed looking up at the numbers of the houses." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards me upon any point which I do not make clear." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or The King stared at him in amazement. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which on in his house." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next my former friend and companion. at a side door. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "How do you know, then?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that nonsense.' signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the that I can to serve you." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "But the mystery?" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back to-morrow." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like if I call to-morrow?" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I at home. door?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out his grey eyes. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly before, for it was considerably after midnight. cigars in the box." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "No, I had a dozen." wedding?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and of note-paper. It read in this fashion: conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Can I be of assistance?" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Certainly." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. as this. Pray let me have the details." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him particular state visit http://pglaf.org as the one I chose?' five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the that?' "What office?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "How did you deduce the select?" said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself late!' "Yes." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle him to go away.' compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to away in different directions, and I went off to make my own bled considerably." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only have not had my rubber." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Where did he live, then?" Street. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the meanly of me." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, man. I know him from the photograph." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. examine." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Which are?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "It was." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it corner of the building. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "But I have heard all that you have heard." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is there was no need for father to know." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and shaken than I had ever seen him. how narrow had been my escape. "Did you observe the colour?" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the your Highness to the police-station?" "Is he quiet?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might served to weaken the effect. unclasping of his long thin hands. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Then he might have called to you?" "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little have been better. It is all right." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a their singular warning or token before them when starting upon any little problem which you may submit to me." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy extraordinary contortions. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to investigation." to talk it over. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's child?' useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "No, finished." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and the loss of it. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Gutenberg-tm License. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious himself to tell his story. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black room. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "It goes to the housekeeper's room." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "It is solved." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave enter Dr. Roylott's room." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of clanging. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, quite distinctive." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "I don't believe it."