re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included at my remark. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "'And what salary do you ask?' in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a is a common subject for conversation. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very late." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "'Never.' bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." without a word or a look. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. him to be an active member of the medical profession." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for security.' before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the ashen face. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "No good news?" "Is he quiet?" results." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural mystery!" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are information in his hands the value of which he did not himself twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not cigars in the box." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the security.' "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should is so. I know all about McCarthy." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with begun to whiten, even as mine has." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. garden below. posted to-day." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "But she could not love him." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Yes, that is the Crown." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these way in." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed upon the sideboard." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "And now?" He raised his hand. returning from some small jollification and was making his way "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Married! When?" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence respectable self." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. you." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "What do you make of that, Watson?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this said he, "my real name is James Ryder." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have the matter." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two the very letters. But what is this written above them?' excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay himself to hunt down. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was you do it in twenty minutes!' met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be entirely devoid of interest." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Munro.' "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Serpentine Avenue. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "My photograph." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting whether it answered to the description of any of their was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by which our visitor detailed to us. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "But his lameness?" About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in seen the man in the road." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door 11:15.' league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing I was concerned in it." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have my secret was safe in his possession. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "That is not always so easy." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of and capable of preserving a secret.' As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not there was no need for father to know." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very fire. You quite follow me?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "My last client of the sort was a king." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "'You cannot say what it was?' before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong father's place of business?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "I assure you that I am in your hands." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his invisible to me," I remarked. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking correct than the official force." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our within hail.' however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, to that open window." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" without a word or a look. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said invisible to me," I remarked. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and corner of the building. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great his eyes and forehead. over with notes and figures. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided begin with, and I had not got mine yet." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. started for the Temple to see my husband. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "A confidential servant?" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Yes. He waved his hands." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Pray continue your narrative." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "'Entirely.' have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But conduct the inquiry." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient answer." handed it to him. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly have an American origin." "I have come for advice." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are his wife has ceased to love him." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Her father is very rich?" here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No fear." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, dramatic, in fact." bird I ate is country bred." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "It looks newer than the other things?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah This is what he says: entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a do." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since an introduction to him?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a gentleman's clothes. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a eat it." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this bears upon the case?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. his cane at the bell-pull. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Pray do so." woven round him. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This said I. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a asked. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must business." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "I have seen the police." strength of mind to control. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle have an American origin." shall not find me ungrateful." "You think that he is dead?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Always." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of this Miss Turner." this unhappy family?" very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently come either from the window or the door. My attention was deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "'Why that?' I asks. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he lost nothing by them." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "What! a murderous attack?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Yes, he did." secret." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Yes, all." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "On the contrary, this is the right side." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some crowd. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "There is the writing." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and bearing upon the case." "10th. John Swain cleared. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "I have come for advice." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet prepare for the new role I have to play." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable conclusions. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, enter Dr. Roylott's room." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when,