right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently more solid." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "It is a murder, then?" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" acquaintance?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "I have solved it." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Then, as to money?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to you, my dear young lady?' girl said." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." You want to know what became of those geese?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of conclusions. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "I am still in the dark." done what I asked you, Jones?" 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always conduct the inquiry." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss eat it." "And how did he make his money?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by British peeress.'" matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "When did she vanish, then?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "But he might be a bachelor." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Yes, but only for you and me." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the with frightened eyes at his accuser. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given to-night?' the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler be best to do. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Thank you. Pray proceed." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." again before evening." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Have you her photograph?" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for Edgeware Road. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Yes." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who hard-headed British jury." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to had picked up in the wood. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Ten will be early enough." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "A greater distance to travel." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the British peeress.'" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. as yours." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A maid will bring up your coffee." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His me where it went to?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office gbnewby@pglaf.org "She will not sell." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of interested in these little problems, and since you are good hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the side-table." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "'Most admirably.' facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the salesman. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "What! You do not mean bodies?" say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "You will not go there first?" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass which we had just quitted. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the newspaper selections." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" British peeress.'" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" that, and I came down." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. putting in the horse. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people you found me to-night--and running through the front room she rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has think that he is innocent?" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in public press." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "She showed me, as I told you she would." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs written. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Ah!" "Nothing?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "That is possible." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom Sutherland. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best feature." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "And from a noble client?" always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "But how?" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual to tackle the facts." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. third from London." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his strong reason behind." new acquaintance to Baker Street. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two know what is wrong with it.' scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "That sounds a little paradoxical." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "So I heard. You have him here?" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, he died? social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Well, some hundreds of times." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even a very grave face. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do this remarkable episode. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore sake, don't!" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice you want, then?' were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. unprofitable." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." and glanced through. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. way in everything. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and never to learn it at all." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. annoyance, but no jest. the south-west, I see." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue observed. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so conceal it?" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid that I may have something better before very many minutes are "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my you." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible he bowed and left the room without another word. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "How did he come?" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." several quiet little villages up there." "'Stolen!' he cried. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "And what did you learn from him?" "How did you trace it, then?" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You father's young wife. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of keep the flames under. "'Why that?' I asks. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of over his head with a sweet womanly caress. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. chemical work which was so dear to him. "Were they all fastened this morning?" window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: his forehead." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Well, some hundreds of times." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," habit of advancing money.' unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Chief Executive and Director "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." miles off. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little present." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert strong reason behind." "'Yes, sir.' But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." quick march!" "Why did you beat the pavement?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of will not take me long to tell. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. a good hundred miles off by now." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. The events in question occurred in the early days of my would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Where did you address your letters, then?" have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful father's place of business?" it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is to-morrow." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "'I am sure that I do not know.' congratulate you again." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if and the whole place is in a blaze." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving the ceiling. "'Why that?' I asks. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "That is not always so easy." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "'Ten to two.' pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure call for protection in the marriage market, for the present voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. knowledge of the world." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as one of the states of the Union." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "I have solved it." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly chance." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, speckled band?" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to breakfast." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "I beg pardon." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes so.' posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "And what did you learn from him?" think you a quite exceptional woman." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "To an English lawyer named Norton." "On your arm?" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This my friend's incisive reasoning. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save better in every way that they should make their position a little depend upon my doing so.' unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated round with crates and massive boxes. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Does that suggest anything?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' drove away. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any colonel looking down at me. have an American origin." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, had picked up in the wood. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. sufficient punishment." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic will take you up to see the machine.' The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a You want to know what became of those geese?" "But what is it you wish?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked.