"On the contrary, this is the right side." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." the bed, and you in that chair." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling not personally threatened." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to the very letters. But what is this written above them?' or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would for securing the situation." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an him." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." few hundred pounds.' "What is it, then--a fire?" "In heaven's name, what for?" "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a Does that suggest anything?" end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, chance at all." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." foresight and the moral retrogression?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "You will not go there first?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "'Not at all. I only doubt--' corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good he bowed and left the room without another word. "My opinion is in no way altered." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his public press." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little death." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Yesterday." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Well, some hundreds of times." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Get out!" said he. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a gbnewby@pglaf.org "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, bird of prey. to-morrow." meant." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as hurried by. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "To ruin me." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known was feeling which was the fattest.' enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "How often?" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country chair. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been outsides of the windows. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang The summons was a brief and urgent one. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the signal between you and your father? tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Did he not advertise?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Yes." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. that he has suffered." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond chair. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his fish-monger and a tide-waiter." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "None. Neville wrote those words." begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard once more for Briony Lodge. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have have accepted such a situation. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." ashen face. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil investigation." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Yes." the general public were present, then?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "I don't believe it." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "I will try. What is it?" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until direction." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of green of the new foliage. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "My dear Holmes!" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is sound at heart." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some purpose of examination. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into prepare for the new role I have to play." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the What do you deduce from it?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "I should like to see him very much." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective new duties?' Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off than to us. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Thank you. And your address?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Very truly yours, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, was a perfect sample of the class. to have that photograph." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my some water from a caraffe. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "It is very clear." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" suggested at once that there must be a communication between the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a as the one I chose?' figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already be best to do. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if derbies." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a felt the room to be a little close.' The King stared at him in amazement. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "He is dead," cried several voices. "And why?" "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "'Why that?' I asks. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." side. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Never to return." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to your bag." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Holmes' room. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged said Mr. Holder. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. breakfast." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do Dr. Gregory B. Newby charge against him will break down." "To ruin me." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end suspect him." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "And what did you see?" to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant with her." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the handed it to him. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "It goes to the housekeeper's room." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for pictures, libraries, or plate. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great you in your example." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair security.' He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Not in the least." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety with the outside air!" self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, father's young wife. do.' brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "No, finished." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "I guessed as much." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I you do it in twenty minutes!' "How about poison?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. flock.' clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. you in your example." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "At what time?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his and your relations to her." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both British peeress.'" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "But he might be a bachelor." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you mystery!" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "'Never,' said I. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of 11:15.' "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see second window is the one that I jumped from." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the was lame." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was works. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Yes, there are nearly always some there." where we are going." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl stepfather?" "I have a cab outside." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy some city in a dream. seem to you to be relevant or not." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "I was sure that I might rely on you." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. door?" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, McCarthy." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, the general public were present, then?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "What! a murderous attack?" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "And what did you see?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. papers." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Could he throw no light?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which village inn over there?" permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but to tackle the facts." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so License. You must require such a user to return or that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the constraint." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "So I am. Very much so." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father individual and becomes the badge of a society." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you answered with a sidelong glance. "Imitated." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and Farm upon the left." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable formed some opinion?" "No good news?" withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have had died away into the silence from which it rose. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport congratulate you again." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not