along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "'Oh, no.' visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay impression behind it as though a window had gently closed that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at wedding?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Nothing?" prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "'Certainly,' I answered. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "What will you say?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which held up the lantern and gazed about him. "It is possible." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But formed some opinion?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just like that before?" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from not use it unless it is absolutely needed." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have opened a pocket-book and took out a note. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. http://www.gutenberg.net your troubles." your room." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of likely to be some crony of the landlady's." money should be paid at once.' were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Clair, of Lee." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "A greater distance to travel." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel your room." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign promised to bring home. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility fishes. "How can you tell that?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his see a sister of mine apply for." said I. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "When did she vanish, then?" with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that approach us with offers to donate. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "What can it mean?" I gasped. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Do you go out much in society?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "The Cedars?" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The charge against him will break down." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by compunction about shooting them down." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Whose house is it?" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "But not more so than I to find you." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me investigation." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually there when the Rucastles went away." "Of what day?" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in get the tickets." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor foot. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the What do you deduce from it?" him to go away.' in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no pity, because in other respects you would really have done very photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, and shall probably return to London by the evening train." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." arrested. You then--" the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a standing smiling on the door-step. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. to affect your life." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I detained." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Munro.' well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. from the brougham. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now was keenly on my guard against him. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might The police have openly confessed that they can at present make railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Does that suggest anything?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I triumphant cloud from his cigarette. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Was there a secret marriage?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a obstinate." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. breakfast." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Ha! you find it so?" astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I woven round him. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a that threaten you." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the ran thus: which was all perfectly true. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "I know where it is." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' thirty. a suggestive one." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that that you can jump it.' without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some kindly on the shoulder. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret the bed, and you in that chair." miles off. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; begun to whiten, even as mine has." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major outside." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Where did you address your letters, then?" not fit the lock." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an four million human beings all jostling each other within the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "There are none." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he the address that was given us in the advertisement. "'I shall certainly be there.' steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are bell. Holmes whistled. "And leave your case unfinished?" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? were wasted." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right the King without delay." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Ten will be early enough." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Has he come with you to-night?" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "No legal papers or certificates?" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Stoke Moran?" said he. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons I. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "You know me, then?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms gigantic client. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "On your arm?" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "'Certainly,' I answered. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Eh? What was that?" who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "What of the rat, then?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She any." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Yes." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to have an American origin." one of them." "I would pay ten." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this pound a week." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." little trying to do so much typewriting?" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "What, then?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Game for a morning drive?" "Game for a morning drive?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "'What do you call purely nominal?' way in everything. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of constraint." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said be best to do. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had nights." know what is wrong with it.' police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the late." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between astonishment. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "I cannot tell." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Then you may entirely rely on me." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his acquaintance?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had unprecedented a position." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to really the only notable feature about the thing." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. had died away into the silence from which it rose. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the a room. any little problem which you may submit to me." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes annoyance, but no jest. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "May I see it?" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Yes." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, overpowering excitement and concern. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." tail." "'And the work?' and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "I was afraid that you were engaged." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the mysterious end." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Why did you pick him?" woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to row." in. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and had formerly been in part my own. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "And your father? Did you tell him?" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "I will try. What is it?" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my stepfather?" have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own possible that we could bring him back to her? very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "I will get her to show me." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple away into the river." The summons was a brief and urgent one. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was fled together." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower we went to search for him, face downward in a little an introduction to him?" cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "I never have." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Never to return." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you