out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of was the fact that his father should, according to his account, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads tension within him. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been floor. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will locked." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it and all of them with the keenest interest. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "What, then, did Peterson do?" greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at washing it down with a long draught of water. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. desk. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I there were so many in the whole country as were brought together fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "You have the photograph?" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that with the outside air!" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "And your father? Did you tell him?" passage and a tap at the door. soul! here is her carriage at the door." her also." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here the warnings." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the your co-operation." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "'Certainly,' I answered. "Well, but China?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." morning." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you distinguish the words: France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to and inquire as to the address." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. had died away into the silence from which it rose. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. the window, rose as we entered. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Ha! you find it so?" Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right me have 200 pounds?' subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, papers diligently of late, have you not?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with know all about it," he snarled. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "It is very kind of you." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' said he, "my real name is James Ryder." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the my special province." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Dr. Gregory B. Newby Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Always." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Sutherland. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation vague figure huddled up in the darkness. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret if she died from some sudden fright." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and not as remarkable as your advertisement." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the danger is over." "What do you make of that, Watson?" appointment with me for six o'clock?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "'Which dealer's?' "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary union?" ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son tell him that I know him to be innocent." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag putting in the horse. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us that, and I came down." grasp, he hurried from the room. "And did you observe any change in her then?" perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "To an English lawyer named Norton." young Openshaw's." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Mrs. Toller serenely. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all time." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" her also." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Where did you address your letters, then?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which better in every way that they should make their position a little bears upon the case?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "A call for help, you thought?" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her invisible to me," I remarked. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came would then never go into court at all." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. awaited us upon the table. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "That is unusual in a young girl." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "It is no ordinary one." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the States. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping know what is wrong with it.' "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "They are typewritten," I remarked. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by some city in a dream. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea envelope. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her go--none." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Literary Archive Foundation this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search wall." better in every way that they should make their position a little your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "But what harm can there be in that?" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for sentimental considerations in the background which would induce have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way and put his glass in his pocket. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to know all about it," he snarled. morning." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such disturbance in my wife." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to annoyance, but no jest. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. and the colonel ushered me in. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little article?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I on in his house." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "You will not go there first?" "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Not in the least." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to my special province." speckled band?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been not interfere, come what may. You understand?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that me where it went to?" young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure for securing the situation." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My to arrive at through this?" "You horrify me." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking the armchair which I pushed forward for him. feature." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see you in yours." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Nearly eleven." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" for its centre. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but before, for it was considerably after midnight. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, results." both be extremely obliged.' question. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "And the murderer?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Young McCarthy must be got off, however." Surrey." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless better in every way that they should make their position a little rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is 1.E.9. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "'What then?' I asked. not within a twentieth part of the market price." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt room had already been engaged for us. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing young Openshaw's." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is not fit the lock." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance thought that she would have been so carried away." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Stolen, then." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "And is that all?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should http://www.gutenberg.net room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced conduct the inquiry." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Pray do so." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend and wait." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had question," said Holmes, smiling. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Yes, sir." "We were both in the photograph." him!" ways of our fellow-men." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "That is not always so easy." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for meant." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "'What do you call purely nominal?' their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then outsides of the windows. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more asked. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence mystery." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an him." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, papers on the sundial.'" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the nursery. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress meant it for the best. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Then, as to money?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue my secret was safe in his possession. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Whose house is it?" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are my secret was safe in his possession. bill, which interests me deeply." "'It is locked up,' I answered. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "I have hopes." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little of his shoulders. "To an end?" "Nothing." "So I heard. You have him here?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Yes." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' furiously. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "But what will you do?" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between not interfere, come what may. You understand?" stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to retorted upon me, and I on you." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed that he will be back before evening." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "What is it, then--a fire?" woven round him. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Yes. He waved his hands." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "It certainly sounds feasible." "Yes." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." guilty one." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able morning." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Proceed, then." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not with her." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You happened." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is will take you up to see the machine.' dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to have accepted such a situation. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough best detective that ever lived. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at straightened it out again. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have