threw himself down with his face to the pillow. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his skylight. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was this unhappy family?" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang train from Paddington which would bring you there at about squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "That is it on the dressing-table." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They hour?' to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the as yours." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Cross for the Continent." you." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you bachelor.' yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Then what has happened to him?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "To the police?" and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the wedding?" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my of them has the shutters up.' the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only not interfere, come what may. You understand?" quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all heavy and sharp instrument." all-comprehensive glances. "Seven!" I answered. him to go away.' things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, himself. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Was he the only applicant?" "Was the window open?" invisible to me," I remarked. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' have established a very serious case against the son of the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being indeed happy." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Really! You surprise me." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would leave you to your papers for a little." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Yes." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan past. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both his huge brown hands. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called which it had come upon my father." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon certainly not very gracious." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Who was the criminal, then?" for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "You horrify me!" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Will you bet, then?" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you outsides of the windows. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "And it is--" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them to have been novel and of interest." Foundation wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "I have come for advice." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "But you would not advise me to refuse?" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "And from a noble client?" Foundation should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "How many? I don't know." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Precisely so. But how--" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as him, that man would not have given me such complete information almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "My last client of the sort was a king." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of miles off. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such own family. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be made his money." "Deserted you?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Very. But will he see it?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow again." indiscretion." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "'About the same.' bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found interests were the same as his." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very families. Now for the facts. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "How did he come?" had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical new acquaintance to Baker Street. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "How do you know, then?" (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had mystery may be cleared along those lines." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his will take you up to see the machine.' for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a directors, with the result that you have seen." Heh?' "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "I should wish to." fat-encircled eyes. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered strength." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled the best of training." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in down in his armchair and closing his eyes. has little to do with my story." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the way: William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few and have this put in the evening papers." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed enter Dr. Roylott's room." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad straighten it?" just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "My own seal." gbnewby@pglaf.org I nodded to show that I had heard. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable entirely lost his self-respect." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' dear old homesteads?" "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would happened." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in against a man in the prime of life?" to-night's adventure." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Deserted you?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "What! a murderous attack?" the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress is acting for the best. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "I fear not." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through where Mr. Fordham shows you.' and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Never." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for down in his armchair and closing his eyes. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay stammered. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Nothing." sofa. This way, please!" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "And Irene Adler?" grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" unclasping of his long thin hands. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed papers on the sundial.'" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly him." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are third from London." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "It must be recovered." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "It may not come to that," said Holmes. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. British peeress.'" Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "That is it on the dressing-table." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the away into the river." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" works. See paragraph 1.E below. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." mystery may be cleared along those lines." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there meant it for the best. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my crowd. to you." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it generous with you in money matters.' "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life constraint." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be photograph?" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one mysterious end." "Very. But will he see it?" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "He is dead," cried several voices. "And now?" He raised his hand. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident that guilty parties." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Here?" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "That's no good." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Your sister is dead, then?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square to tackle the facts." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking had died away into the silence from which it rose. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Yes, there are nearly always some there." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to present." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but prison!" to that open window." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than drawing your inferences." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." be sorry for having acted so harshly." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent there is a decided draught." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." footfalls from the street. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "And how did you verify them?" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that geese which you supplied to the Alpha." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Who by?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the to-night?' object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Yes, it would be as well." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Watson," he said cordially. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "'I have heard so.' laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" my special province." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent strode off upon his way. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately me." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "What have you to say now?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "What! Had he lost his wife?" The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain fasten all the windows?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had